Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, Tax Collector employees, local organ procurement organization (OPO) TransLife and transplant recipients recognized National Donate Life Month with a flag raising ceremony at the Tax Collector’s Clarcona Office. National Donate Life Month is celebrated each year during the month of April to encourage residents to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to celebrate the lives saved through organ donation. The 2016 Donate Life Month theme is “Superheroes: One Yes at a Time”.

At the flag raising ceremony, Randolph, TransLife representative Kristine Neal and transplant recipient Darren Sussman called upon Orange County drivers to ‘check the box’ to become an organ, eye and tissue donor and help increase Orange County’s donor registration rate. Over the last year, 47% of driver license customers in Orange County chose to become a donor. That’s compared to 55% in Seminole County and 50% in Osceola County. The statewide rate during that time period was 50%.

“Donors are superheroes; they’re truly lifesavers. Darren Sussman is here with us today because of the gift of organ donation,” Tax Collector Scott Randolph said.

Sussman received a kidney/pancreas transplant in 2010. He made it his mission to pay it forward and educate the community about the importance of organ and tissue donation, so he volunteers his time with TransLife in an effort to show his gratitude.

Randolph continued, “One donor can save eight lives, and with 1.3 million residents, Orange County has the ability to make a tremendous impact. We want Orange County to lead Central Florida in donor registration rates.”

The 2016 Donate Life Month theme is “Superheroes: One Yes at a Time”. As part of the awareness effort, Tax Collector customers receive a free green wristband. For a $1 dollar donation, customers can fill out a superhero post card for in-office display. Donate Life superhero posters will also be displayed in each of the seven Orange County Tax Collector offices.

“We are honored to have such a great working relationship with Mr. Randolph and all of the Orange County Tax Collector offices” stated Kristine Neal, Public Relations Manager for TransLife. “Ninety-five percent of people who designate their wishes do so when they get their license, so this partnership is critical to saving lives right here in our backyard.”

Randolph’s office is responsible for processing all driver license applications. In 2015, the Orange County Tax Collector’s Office conducted more than 350,000 in-person driver license transactions.

About TransLife

TransLife is east-Central Florida’s federally-designated organ and tissue donation program agency, covering 10 counties and partnering with more than 40 hospitals. TransLife is dedicated to saving and improving lives through organ and tissue donation and public education, while honoring all donors and their loved ones whose generosity makes the gift of life possible. For more information, visit www.translife.org.

To register as an organ, eye or tissue donor online, visit www.donatelifeflorida.org.