– Friday, Feb. 14 is National Donor Day Encouraging Donor Sign-Ups –

Pittsburgh, Feb.12, 2014 – The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) joins organ procurement organizations across the nation to celebrate National Donor Day this Valentine’s Day by encouraging individuals to make a Pledge for Life by becoming a registered organ, tissue and cornea donor.  Pennsylvania residents can register at www.donatelifepa.org and West Virginia residents can register at www.donatelifewv.org.

“With more than 120,000 individuals across the country awaiting a transplant, there is an urgent need for more organ, tissue and cornea donors.  One donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can save or improve the lives of up to 50 people,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of CORE.  “We hope that individuals will make the important decision of becoming an organ donor, which is also a wonderful way to show your love for others this Valentine’s Day.”

National Donor Day was implemented in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations.  It focuses on the five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood.

For more information about CORE, visit core.org.

About CORE
The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States.  CORE works closely with donor families and designated health care professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation.  CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas.  With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, West Virginia, CORE oversees a region that encompasses 155 hospitals and almost six million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, NY.  For more information, visit core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7.