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Delta State University claimed its first Donor Challenge victory against Mississippi College by winning the 2014 organ, eye and tissue donation awareness campus campaign between the two rivals. Organized by the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency (MORA), the Donor Challenge is a form of college outreach that promotes the need for organ, eye and tissue donation. The program provides education, volunteer training and gives college students a chance to register as donors while encouraging donor designations campus-wide among fellow students, staff, faculty, alumni and fans.

During the four-week challenge period, Delta State accounted for more donor designations than Mississippi College. Campus totals were based on a unique scoring system that fully credited new donor designations and utilized a point system for existing designations from fans, students, alumni, faculty and staff that identified their donor status. Delta State tallied 341.75 points, which accounted for 234 new donor designations and 431 existing designations. MC finished close behind with 311 points (267 new donor designations, 216 existing designations).

The 501 new donor designations from Delta State and MC exceeded the total of 498 posted in the 2014 Donor Challenge series between the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi that ended in mid-October. USM claimed a second Donor Challenge win in three years by collecting more donor designations than both Ole Miss and Mississippi State combined.

“Being part of the 2014 Donor Challenge was a lot of work, but it has been very rewarding,” said Delta State senior nursing student, Mary Hodges. “During the 10 events we hosted, I have had the opportunity to interact with students, faculty and the community that I would not have had the chance to even meet without this challenge. I especially loved hearing the personal stories about organ donation. It was a great experience and provided a chance for us to work together for a great cause.”

“We were blown away by the effort put forth by both Delta State and Mississippi College in this inaugural year of their Donor Challenge,” said Chuck Stinson, director of marketing and media relations for MORA. “They put together a truly amazing effort — motivating students, staff, alumni, and gathering support on their respective campuses and within their community. That is exhibited by the fact that this Donor Challenge, between two smaller student bodies, surpassed that of the one between the three largest universities in the state.”

Both the MC School of Nursing and Delta State Student Nurses Association will receive a $500 donation from MORA after attaining all Donor Challenge performance standards that included a volunteer training session, a minimum of four registration events and a minimum of 150 new donor designations.

At present, more than 1,400 Mississippians and more than 123,000 Americans are in need of a lifesaving transplant. A new patient is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes and an average of 18 people die each day awaiting a lifesaving transplant that never comes. One organ donor can save eight lives and one tissue donor can save or improve the lives of 50 recipients or more. To register as an organ, eye and tissue donor, go to www.donatelifems.org.