Press Release – NEW YORK, New York (December 19, 2016) – On December 21, HealthCorps’s Organ Donation Campaign will be featured on The Dr. Oz Show. HealthCorps, a national health and wellness nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz, is attempting to sign up 62,500 new organ donors through its program. If successful, the year-long initiative could save 500,000 lives.
“At HealthCorps, we give teens practical life skills to improve their physical and mental health so they can learn to live more productive and happier lives. We teach them life-saving skills as well. Understanding the importance of organ donation can be life-saving,” said Michelle Bouchard, the organization’s president.
HealthCorps Coordinator Elizabeth Gass and three students from The High School of Fashion Industries in New York City will be featured on the show discussing the campaign and the importance of organ donation. Ms. Gass is also the daughter of a heart transplant cardiologist and spent much of her childhood around transplant specialists.
HealthCorps will employ social media and in-school training to educate teens about the need for organ donations. Its curriculum now includes two lesson plans on organ donation. HealthCorps is working with Organize.org to leverage social media to raise awareness and Donate Life to process the registrations of new donors.
HealthCorps Coordinators around the country will promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle to maintain organ health, and will work in their classrooms and communities to dispel myths surrounding organ donation. A recent poll of high school students conducted by HealthCorps found that 32% of students erroneously think that doctors are less likely to save your life if you are an organ donor. Students will play an organ donation myth-busting game in their schools in December and January.
The organ donation campaign is sponsored by The Choudhrie Family Foundation, which supports medical research and education. Philanthropist and businessman Sudhir Choudhrie was the recipient of a heart transplant, performed by HealthCorps founder Dr. Mehmet Oz, in 1999. His new book “From My Heart” details his struggle with heart disease and recovery following his transplant.
Mr. Choudhrie will appear on The Dr. Oz Show on December 21 to discuss his new book and the importance of organ donation.
To learn more about the HealthCorps organ donation initiative please visit, https://www.healthcorps.org/organdonor
The Dr. Oz Show air times may vary, please check your local listings to find out where and when the show airs in your city.
