MEDIA ADVISORY: Southwest Michigan lawmaker to receive award from Secretary of State

Michigan Secretary of State sent this bulletin at 04/11/2018 09:53 AM EDT
Media Release from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

-- For immediate release --

Southwest Michigan lawmaker to receive award from Secretary of State

Shining Star Award

Sen. John Proos recognized for promoting organ, tissue, eye donation

 

WHO:
Sen. John Proos
John Grinnell, Niles resident and kidney transplant recipient
Secretary of State West Michigan liaison Barb VanderVeen

WHAT:
Awarding Sen. Proos for his work promoting organ, tissue and eye donation.

WHEN:
2 p.m., Friday, April 13

WHERE:
City Council Chambers
1345 E. Main St., Niles

WHY:
In 2016, Sen. Proos authored “Lauren’s Law,” which required Secretary of State office staff to ask customers if they wanted to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry when applying for a driver’s license. The request was already common practice but Sen. Proos’ proposal wrote it into law. Shining Star Awards are given to groups or individuals who show exceptional dedication, outstanding support, novel partnerships or extraordinary efforts in the area of organ, tissue and eye donor awareness.

More than 3,200 Michigan residents are waiting for life-saving donations. Under Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s leadership and in partnership with donation and transplantation advocates, the number of adults on the registry has more than doubled, from 27 percent to 63 percent, meaning nearly 3 million people have been added to the registry since 2011.

For media questions, please call Fred Woodhams at 517-373-2520.

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