Goals
Through a unique strategy of active learning,
the support of organ and tissue recovery
organizations, and student creativity, a
multi-campus intervention program to impact
college-aged individuals in New York State
was conducted. The purpose of the project
was to increase the number of college students
in New York who communicate their intent
to donate by enrolling in the New York State
Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and notifying
their family members of their enrollment
decision.
Implementation COLLEGE CAMPAIGNS
Students in communications/public relations
classes design, executed and evaluated a campus
public relations campaign about organ and tissue
donation (OTD) aimed at the student population.
The Alliance coordinated project efforts and
provided seed money for the classes through
funding from a Health Resources and Services
Administration grant (HRSA grant # 1R39OT01205-01-00).
The support funded faculty and/or student campaign
materials costs. In return, campuses submit
a template of the students’ campaign
materials and an evaluation of the campaign,
including the impact on the intent to donate
and family notification.
RESEARCH
The University at Albany and the University
at Buffalo conducted qualitative and quantitative
research related to the goals. Click
here to view research reports.
Funding
The Health Resources and Services Administration
awarded a grant (# 1R39OT01205-01-00) in 2003
to a consortium of the New York Alliance for
Donation, State University of New York at Albany
and State University of New York at Buffalo
to conduct research related to the goals and
to replicate the project at other campuses.
The project work ended September 1, 2006.
Participants
The New York Alliance for Donation, Inc.
State
University of New York at Albany
State
University of New York at Buffalo
State
University of New York at Geneseo
Fashion
Institute of Technology (FIT)
City
College of New York (CCNY)
State
University of New York at Oswego
New York
Institute of Technology (NYIT)
History
In 2002, a pilot project was implemented at
the University at Albany (UAlbany) through
the Communications Department. In the pilot,
a course related to public relations campaigns
was expanded to be a Communication Campaign
Practicum. The class provided students with
the practical experience of acting as a public
relations consultant to the Alliance and an
organ procurement organization covering the
Albany area (The Center for Donation and Transplant).
Sessions on organ and tissue donation by experts
in the field such as clinical organ coordinators,
transplant surgeons, transplant recipients
and donor family members were given to the
students; much like a public relations firm
would research the clients’ issues, needs
and background in order to develop an appropriate
campaign. In addition, the class was given
information about the New
York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.
The class then set out to develop a weeklong,
on-campus campaign during National Organ and
Tissue Donor Awareness Month in April of 2002.
Feedback from students and faculty indicated
a high degree of support for continuing the
class at UAlbany. Students felt that it provided
hands-on learning and skills that they would
use in public relations, advertising and communications
careers. The following year a similar class
was held at the University of Buffalo (UBuffalo).
The grant provided the support to add course
sites. Through this grant, SUNY Geneseo, the
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and City
College of New York , SUNY Oswego and the New
York Institute of Technology (NYIT) joined
the project.
More detailed information on the project is
available by contacting Lynette M. Stark, NYAD Executive
Director.
