Join with the National Foundation for Transplants. to celebrate National Donor Sabbath

Transcription

1 Join with the to celebrate National Donor Sabbath

2 Table of Contents What is Donor Sabbath pg. 1 Ways to Celebrate Donor Sabbath.. pg. 1 Event Ideas.. pg. 2 Church Bulletin Announcement Samples pg. 3 Print-Ready Bulletin Inserts. pg. 4 Print-Ready Donor Sabbath Flyer pg. 5 Print-Ready Organ Donation Awareness Flyer pg. 6 Information about NFT. pg. 7

3 What is National Donor Sabbath? Traditionally observed two weekends before Thanksgiving, National Donor Sabbath is a time for congregations of all faiths to shed light on the importance of organ donation. It is also a time to celebrate the hundreds of thousands of lives that have been saved through the miracle of transplantation. Participating in National Donor Sabbath can be done in a variety of ways and can occur on any weekend in November. There are ideas and resources included in this kit, and more ideas can be found on our website at Because nearly all major religions in the United States view organ donation as a selfless and altruistic gift, it is important for the faith community to raise awareness about the vital need for organ donors. Year after year, the number of patients on the transplant waiting list grows, yet the number of individuals who receive lifesaving transplants each year remains steady. Ways to Celebrate National Donor Sabbath Dedicate a church service to the theme of organ donation and the gift of life (service ideas can be found on the NFT website) Show the short 2-minute NFT video during a service Host a bone marrow drive Invite a local organ procurement agency to register organ donors on-site Include Donor Sabbath information in your church bulletin Post a Donor Sabbath flyer throughout your church and ask your congregation to do the same at local businesses Invite a transplant recipient, transplant candidate, donor family or organ procurement agency representative to speak during a service Encourage your congregation to wear green on a specific day in support of transplant awareness Hold a love offering during the service to raise money for the National Foundation for Transplants 1

4 Event Ideas to Celebrate National Donor Sabbath Want to do something larger in honor of National Donor Sabbath? Below are some ideas for fundraising and awareness events that could catch the attention of your local community! Gospel Sing Organize a gospel sing concert for the community and invite other church choirs and praise teams to join! This could be an exciting opportunity to spread the word about organ donation to a larger audience, while spending time with your faith neighbors. Prayer Breakfast Invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances to join your congregation for a breakfast to pray for your community and the more than 122,000 people waiting for lifesaving transplants in the U.S. Dinner Host a dinner and invite a transplant recipient, transplant candidate, donor family or organ procurement agency representative to speak to the audience. NFT Bracelet Sales Contact NFT about purchasing I m Raising Hope bracelets to raise awareness about organ donation. 2

5 Church Bulletin Announcement Samples More than 122,000 people nationwide are currently awaiting a lifesaving transplant. For many, the chance to live a full life won't come unless we consider organ and tissue donation. Discuss organ donation today with your family and friends. For more information, contact the National Foundation for Transplants at (800) or visit We are very proud to support and encourage organ and tissue donation as the ultimate gift of selfless and altruistic love. Take a moment to discuss organ and tissue donation with your family. For more information, contact the at (800) or visit To think of others in our hours of grief and sorrow is truly compassionate and selfless. Please consider the gift of life -- organ and tissue donation. We support this gift in the spirit of love and generosity. Remember to discuss your decision about organ donation with your loved ones. For more information, contact the at (800) or visit We recognize the lifesaving benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Take a moment to discuss organ and tissue donation with your family and become and organ donor. For more information, contact the at (800) or visit After today s worship service, please take a moment to discuss organ donation with family and friends. Let them know that you understand the need for organs and tissues among those who rely on transplantation to live. For us, the only cost is saying yes, for the recipient, the gift is life. For more information, contact the at (800) or visit 3

6 Celebrate National Donor Sabbath with the Celebrate National Donor Sabbath with the Right now, more than 122,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants in the United States. Becoming an organ donor is truly a lifesaving gift. Please consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor, and then be sure to discuss that decision with your loved ones so they re aware of your wishes. Learn more about organ donation and how to help transplant patients in need by visiting Right now, more than 122,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants in the United States. Becoming an organ donor is truly a lifesaving gift. Please consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor, and then be sure to discuss that decision with your loved ones so they re aware of your wishes. Learn more about organ donation and how to help transplant patients in need by visiting Celebrate National Donor Sabbath with the Celebrate National Donor Sabbath with the Right now, more than 122,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants in the United States. Becoming an organ donor is truly a lifesaving gift. Please consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor, and then be sure to discuss that decision with your loved ones so they re aware of your wishes. Learn more about organ donation and how to help transplant patients in need by visiting Right now, more than 122,000 people are awaiting lifesaving transplants in the United States. Becoming an organ donor is truly a lifesaving gift. Please consider giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor, and then be sure to discuss that decision with your loved ones so they re aware of your wishes. Learn more about organ donation and how to help transplant patients in need by visiting

7 During this season of thankfulness join us and the as we celebrate National Donor Sabbath and give thanks for life. Organ donation is a gift wrapped in altruism and compassion. A truly selfless and lifesaving gesture. National Donor Sabbath is a time for all faiths and congregations to come together and shed light on the vital need for organ donors. Right now, more than 122,000 men, women and children are awaiting lifesaving transplants in the United States. You can save a life by choosing to become an organ donor. To learn more, visit

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9 About the NFT offers hope and help to transplant patients and their families by: providing fundraising expertise and advocacy, promoting organ and tissue donation, and supporting innovative solutions for lifesaving treatment. Founded in 1983 in Memphis, TN as a way to help a little girl who needed a liver transplant, the (NFT) has become a beacon for transplant patients in need. NFT is dedicated to offering hope and help to transplant patients and their families as they navigate the sometimes overwhelming journey to transplantation. With NFT s help, patients and living donors can fundraise for their transplant-related expenses that won t be covered by insurance. Through the NFT Raising Hope fundraising program, patients and living donors find encouragement and compassion during what could likely be the most challenging time in their lives. What began as a local endeavor has evolved into an organization benefiting thousands of organ and tissue transplant candidates and recipients, as well as living donors. NFT's fundraising campaigns have generated nearly $75 million to assist patients during their transplant journey, and NFT assists more than 2,500 patients annually. To learn more about NFT and how we help transplant patients, call or visit www. 7