Rebecca Joy Butler was 20 years old and working toward a marketing degree at Wayne State. But her life was cut short by illness; she died in May 2011 after waiting in vain for a lung transplant.
In honor of her life, Rebecca's parents, Beverly and Tim Butler, an associate business professor, are leading the 2012 WSU Gift of Life Campus Challenge to increase organ donations. Last year, School of Medicine students coordinated a smaller challenge. This year, Tim Butler is serving as a faculty advisor of sorts for the campus-wide campaign.
According to Beverly Butler, the wait for organs can be two to three years because of the scarcity of donors. "We want to do what we can to spread the word about the need," she says.
Through Feb. 23, 15 Michigan colleges and universities are competing to have the most people join the state donor registry. They are encouraging students, faculty and other supporters through email, social media, public service announcements, posters and at athletic events.
Two trophies will be awarded -- one to the school with the most donor registrations and one to the school with the most registrations proportionate to student population.
Michigan State University and Adrian College won the trophies last year. Add your name to the registry today to help WSU win in 2012.