Enrolling and Supporting Organizations Who Encourage Donation of Organs, Marrow, Tissue, or Blood

The Buncombe County Medical Society (BCMS) recruited and is now supporting more than 160 local organizations in Health and Human Services' Partnership for Life program. Partners agree to systematically reach out to their employees, members and/or customers to encourage the donation of organs, marrow, tissue or blood. BCMS teamed up with the Buncombe County Commission, the Asheville City Council and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce to enroll an extraordinary number of businesses, schools and other organizations into this community effort to increase donation. This is a replicable model of effective partnerships.

In May, 2002, the Buncombe County Medical Society committed to enrolling 100 organizations into the Workplace Partnership initiative. BCMS declared itself "community headquarters" for recruiting Buncombe County businesses and organizations in the Workplace Partnership for Life program, and implemented a plan to support these organizations in their efforts to urge donation.

BCMS exceeded their goal of 100 Workplace Partners; over 160 Asheville area organizations enrolled in just 7 months. BCMS and these Workplace Partners are now promoting donation in an ongoing effort to minimize the gap between available donors and recipients. Workplace Partners who enroll commit to educating, at a minimum, all of their employees about donation. They report the number of employees when they enroll. As a result of community-wide efforts, over 11,000 individuals employed at these organizations have been made aware of the need for organ donation through the Workplace Partnership Program. These 11,000 people have all been asked to talk to their friends and family members about the importance of organ donation as well.