Wisconsin businesses are being asked to join the Workplace Partnership for Life, an innovated national initiative sponsored by Tommy G. Thompson, former secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Workplace Partnership for Life is a national effort, spearheaded by Wisconsin's former governor, to encourage organ donation awareness in the workplace. Thompson has encouraged companies and employee groups of all sizes to join the effort by making information about donation available to employees.

"The workplace is a great environment to get across the need for donation," said Thompson. "With employers and employees working together, we can literally save thousands of lives. This includes not only large corporations and unions, but the local employer and small staff employer. Everyone has a contribution to make."

Participation is simple. Just register your organization at www.organdonor.gov and contact the Wisconsin Donor Network.

The Wisconsin Donor Network can support you in your role as a member of the Workplace Partnership Program by bringing its donor awareness and education programs to you. Whether by providing information for your employees, writing an article for your newsletter, or hosting an informational session about the importance of organ and tissue donation, we can help you take an active role in organ and tissue donor awareness.

• Place brochures and materials in common areas for your employees.
  
• Post organ donation posters in waiting areas, lobbies, break rooms, high-traffic
  areas, etc.
  
• Insert payroll stuffers regarding the need for organ and tissue donation.
  
• Distribute a "flash" e-mail message to employees.
  
• Run articles in employee newsletters.
  
• Host a donor information booth at your organization.
  
• Host the Wisconsin Donor Network's participation in your company health fair.
  
• Host guest speakers from the WDN.
  
• Provide brochures about Sarah's Stride, the Wisconsin Donor Network's annual run/walk, to employees.
  
• Enter a team in Sarah's Stride.
  
• Serve as a sponsor to Sarah's Stride (see enclosed sponsorship benefits).
  
• Find out if any employees or family members have had donation or transplant experience, and get them involved.
  
• Encourage local media coverage of your efforts.
  
• Hold a company-wide "Donor Day" to incorporate many of these ideas.
  
• Incorporate any of these ideas with national observances, such as National Donor Day in February and National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in April.
  
• Ideas of your own
  

All materials and support are available to your organization from the Wisconsin Donor Network. Contact us for assistance.