Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph, Tax Collector employees, local organ donor program 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 2017 Donate Life Month theme is Super Heroes 4 Life.

At the flag raising ceremony, Randolph, TransLife representative Kristine Neal, transplant recipient Jonni Hultin, and Tax Collector employees 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. In 2016, 47% of driver license customers in Orange County chose to register themselves as a donor. That’s compared to 54% in neighboring Seminole County, 52% in Lake County, 50% in Osceola County, 56% in Volusia County and 60% in Brevard County. The statewide donor designation rate during that time period was 50%.

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

Jonni received a double lung transplant in September of 2012. She made it her mission to pay it forward and educate the community about the importance of organ and tissue donation, so she volunteers her time with TransLife in an effort to show her gratitude.

“Being alive today has allowed me to continue pursuing my passions and now, one of my passions is to share my story to show that one “yes” can make a difference. I’m grateful for those who have registered themselves and in doing so, have given hope to the thousands waiting for that call,” Jonni Hultin said.

Randolph continued, “One donor can save up to 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 2017 Donate Life Month theme is Super Heroes 4 Life. As part of the awareness effort, Tax Collector employees wore blue Donate Life Superhero t-shirts every Friday in April. Randolph’s Office also launched a social media campaign asking residents to ‘be a superhero.’

“Our partnership with Mr. Randolph and his staff is so critical to saving lives right here in Central Florida. Last year, more than 88% of donor designations came through driver license-issuing offices, which shows the impact one question, “Would you like to be an organ donor?” can make,” said Kristine Neal, Manager of Public Relations with TransLife. “As an organization, we are proud to have helped facilitate the Gift of Life for 427 individuals last year, while honoring the legacies of each of our donor heroes.”

Randolph’s office is responsible for processing all driver license applications. In 2016, 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 50 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.