The Southeast Missouri Department of Athletics and Mid-America Transplant have partnered once during the month of April to raise awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation.
April is National Donate Life Month, and the partnership is usually highlighted by a pair of “Green Up” games hosted by the softball and baseball teams. During the Green Up Games, the baseball and softball teams wear Donate Life-themed green and blue uniforms. The Donate Life shades of green and blue represent ongoing efforts to increase the number of people registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors.
Unfortunately, as with the rest of the spring competition schedule, the Green Up Games were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly 114,000 people are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplants nationwide. On average, 22 people die each day while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
Organ and tissue donation especially hits home for Redhawks. Former SEMO soccer student-athlete Meg Herndon was killed in a scooter accident in 2012, but while she was in the hospital, Meg’s family decided to allow their daughter’s organs to be harvested for those in need. In all, Meg helped 17 people through organ and tissue donation.
Today is National Donate Life Blue & Green Day. You can show your support by wearing blue and green, and join the SEMO Redhawks in providing hope to those waiting and register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor at RegisterMe.org.
Follow Redhawk Athletics on Twitter at @GoSoutheast.
