By Ryan Harding
ADOT Office of Public Information

When you apply for a driver license or identification card, registering to become an organ donor is as simple as checking a box. For years, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division and the Donor Network of Arizona have worked closely to educate people about organ and tissue donation and make it easy for people to register.

One young man who registered as an organ and tissue donor through the MVD was Michael Choppi. Michael passed away in January 2011 at the age of 24, and his kidneys and liver went on to save three lives. Michael was also a tissue donor, helping dozens of others live a quality life.

“It’s a sense of peace to know that night, there were people out there and families that benefited,” said Kim Choppi, Michael’s mother. “It’s nice to know that my son was able to provide the gift of life to someone.”

Michael made the decision to be an organ donor at the age of 14. When he was old enough to apply for a driver license, he didn’t have to think about checking the box on his application to become an organ donor.

“In our case, my son had the [foresight] to look into the future and if something happened to him, how could he help someone else,” said Mike Choppi, Michael’s father. “That’s the kind of kid Michael was.”

In 2003, only eight percent of Arizona adults were registered as organ donors. Right around that time, the MVD and Donor Network of Arizona began actively working together to promote organ donation and today, more than 50 percent of Arizona adults are organ donors.

“Organ donation is one of the most moving and impactful gifts you can give someone,” said Eric Jorgensen, director of the Motor Vehicle Division. “We are proud to partner with a great organization like Donor Network of Arizona to spread the word about the importance of organ and tissue donation and facilitate public participation.”

Ninety-five percent of organ donors have registered through the MVD.

“ADOT MVD Saves Lives Month gives Donor Network of Arizona a chance to thank the MVD staff on behalf of the community for their work in helping to spread the word about the importance of signing up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and for giving Arizonans the opportunity to register whenever they complete a driver license or ID application,” said Sara Pace Jones, vice president of Development and Referral Services for Donor Network of Arizona.

“Every time a person checks the box to save and heal lives, they are giving voice to generosity in our community. We rely on our partnership with this incredible government agency to make the most of life through the gift of organ and tissue donation,” Jones continued.

For more information on organ donation, visit Donor Network of Arizona at dnaz.org.

“Registering at the MVD takes the decision making out of a family’s hands who now has one less thing to worry about,” said Mike. “It’s so easy. There’s no excuse not to do it.”

It’s so easy to register as an organ and tissue donor in Arizona…

All you have to do is check a box when you apply for a driver license or identification card (you can also sign up on the Donor Network of Arizona website).

That simple act has the potential to make a very huge difference, as illustrated in the video above.

“It’s hard for me to believe that someone would actually donate something that important to someone else,” says heart recipient and MVD employee Jimmie Willis. “I’m just so thankful.”

Important partnership

Implementing an easy registration process through MVD (again, all you have to do is just check a box) has upped the percentage of registered adults in Arizona from 8 percent in 2003 to 46 percent this year.

“Over 90 percent of those come through the Motor Vehicle Division,” says Donor Network of Arizona President and CEO Tim Brown in the video. “It’s magical to be connected to MVD. People, when they’re there, are checking the box and declaring their wishes, which we honor.”

Nearly 2,200 people in Arizona alone are waiting a life-saving organ transplant. Across the country, that number is just over 112,000. You can learn more about the efforts of Donor Network of Arizona on their website. Find more on ADOT’s partnership with the organization in this blog post from 2011.

Did you realize that more than 111,000 people in the U.S. are in need of a life-saving organ transplant? In Arizona alone, 2,100 people are waiting...

That’s why the Donor Network of Arizona is so important. As the state’s only organ recovery organization, this not-for-profit group is a much-needed resource. 

But, on Sept. 16 it was the Donor Network of Arizona that wanted to say thank-you. During its third-annual Donation Celebration/25th Anniversary Gala event, the organization recognized and celebrated the citizens, professionals and businesses that have contributed to the network’s mission: to make the most of life through the gift of organ and tissue donation.

The Arizona Department of Transportation was recognized as a community partner.

"The Department is honored to be recognized with this award because it shows the high level of commitment our employees have to do their share to help people in need," said ADOT Director John Halikowski.

Donor Network of Arizona spokeswoman Kris Patterson says the event and the awards presented are important.

“We want to recognize the leaders who organize and support organ and tissue donation in the state,” said Patterson, adding, “We have an incredible partnership with ADOT. They have been so supportive and proactive.”

Photo courtesy of Claire Beeler

The Donor Network of Arizona presented awards on Sept. 16 during its third-annual Donation Celebration. Partnerships were recognized in several categories, including: volunteer, workplace, media, community and healthcare.

Patterson noted the ways that ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division allows drivers to easily register as a donor.

According to the Donor Network of Arizona, in 2010, 119 organ donors in this state gave life to 345 people and the 863 ocular donors and 752 tissue donors helped heal thousands.

Arizonans can sign up as registered organ and tissue donors when they apply or renew their driver license or ID at the Motor Vehicle Division. 

They can also become donors by signing up online at the Donate Life AZ website or by calling 1.800.94.DONOR.