(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Illinois Secretary of State is hoping to get more young people registered as organ donors with a new statewide initiative.
The LEAD program, which stands for Lifesaving Education and Awareness on Donation, is Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias' effort to mobilize young people to become organ and tissue donors.
"Young people rank among the least inclined to become donors,” Giannoulias said. “In fact, 2023 marked the lowest number of signups for Illinoisians 16-21 [year-olds] in the past 10 years.”
Giannoulias said the LEAD program aims to reverse this trend. As part of the program, Illinois will be able to gain service hours by being a LEAD student ambassador.
"Student ambassadors can organize activities like hosting a donor registration table at a school event, speaking at an assembly, writing an article for the school newspaper or working with local businesses to display posters in storefront windows,” Giannoulias said.
Giannoulias said the more young people know, the more likely they are to become donors.
"They need to learn how it works, how it benefits society, but, most importantly, how it can truly save lives,” Giannoulias said.
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