DMV News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

April is Donate Life Month
DMV Makes it Easy to Show Support and Donate Life

RICHMOND - In recognition of National Donate Life Month, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds Virginians about the convenient ways they can support organ, eye and tissue donation. Donate Life Virginia is an organization that serves to save the lives of Virginians by working to increase the number of registered donors in the Commonwealth.

DMV makes it easy for customers to show their support, donate money and donate life. Customers can purchase a Donate Life Virginia specialty plate to display their support on their vehicles and increase awareness. Also, customers conducting transactions through www.dmvNOW.com or the automated phone service (1-888-337-4782) may make a voluntary contribution. Last year, DMV collected almost $360,000 in contributions through customer transactions. To date, over 3.9 million Virginians have registered as organ, eye and tissue donors - either through DMV or online at www.donatelifevirginia.org. "Our partnership with DMV is priceless," said Donate Life Virginia President Cindy Speas. "More than 90 percent of our registered donors signed up when they obtained or renewed their driver's licenses. We are so grateful to have a valuable partner in this race to save the lives of those on the transplant waiting list."

In addition to the ongoing efforts, on April 20 all DMV employees will wear the colors of the Donate Life Virginia logo - blue and green. "We are hoping that customers visiting our service centers will notice employees are dressed alike and it will spark conversation and raise awareness on the importance of donating life," said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. Since 1978, the DMV has supported organ, eye and tissue donor registration efforts. "Our customer service center employees take great pride in asking if customers would like to be organ donors because they know the results are so meaningful," said Commissioner Holcomb.

For more information about Donate Life Virginia, visit:
www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/drivers/organs.asp.

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