Fellow PSCer please read

[Guest guest]

This is for those of us in California, but even if you don't live here, I'm sure you know someone who does...please pass on....Thanks!

Don B. PSC/UC 11-08

Subject: Your Opportunity to Support California Legislation for Organ Donation Instruction in High SchoolsDear Donate Life Community,Donate Life California is pursuing a long sought-after goal in our state: mandated organ donation education in high schools.SB 552, authored by Senator Padilla, would require instruction on organ and tissue donation and recovery in high school Biology/Life Science classes. Such education is mandated in more than a dozen states, so there strong precedent for such a requirement. While the bill is sure to gain the support of many of our state’s legislative leaders, it faces a significant hurdle on April 29 when it is heard before the Senate Education Committee.Your voice is critical to moving this bill forward and ensuring that organ and tissue donation saves and heals lives long into the future.Use the link to download a template letter of support for SB 552. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.box.net%2Fshared%2F728tnpfzd3 or use the letter below. Please use this document to craft your own letter of support, add your contact information, and either email your letter to Miryam Mora-Barajas, Executive Director of Donate Life California, mmora@....Please feel free to extend this request to friends and family. Your favor of a reply by Friday, March 27 is greatly appreciated! On behalf of the individuals, families and

communities we serve, thank you for your support!Donate Life, California!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Honorable Gloria RomeroChair, Senate Education CommitteeState CapitolSacramento, CA 95814Re: SB 552 (Padilla) – SupportDear Senator Romero:As a [iNSERT CONNECTION TO TRANSPLANTATION, e.g. transplant recipient, donor family member, living organ donor], I am proud to support SB 552 (Padilla), which would require Biology/Life Science classes in grades 9-12 to include education on organ and tissue donation and recovery. The goal of SB 552 is to meet the ongoing need for donated organs and tissues by enabling high school students to make an informed decision as to whether to register as organ and tissue donors when they apply for their first driver’s license.I strongly believe in educating our

students on organ and tissue donation.[WRITE BRIEF PERSONAL STORY DESCRIBING HOW YOU WERE TOUCHED BY ORGAN DONATION/ TRANSPLANTATION].A recent study shows overall support (72% of those surveyed) for educating soon-to-be-licensed teenagers on organ and tissue donation, with 47% indicating strong support. SB 552 will make such education much more widespread, and equipped with foundational knowledge about organ and tissue donation, first-time drivers can make a confident decision about their opportunity to save lives as registered organ and tissue donors.Sincerely,