Tigers for Donating Life is an LSU club that advocates and spreads awareness about organ, tissue and eye donation.
The club was officially added to TigerLink at the beginning of October. Senior Tori Termini, vice president and co-founder, said it had been a work in progress since the spring.
With help from the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, or LOPA, the group hopes to eliminate the misinformation about organ donation. LOPA is a nonprofit that assists families during the donation process and supports them through their grief journey.
“LOPA is one of the most gracious organizations I’ve ever worked with,” Termini said. “They are the glue for some of the donor families, and they are there to hold their hands every step of the way.”
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The current Tigers for Donating Life is a continuation of a similar LSU organization that fizzled out during the pandemic. President Macy Schmelz and Termini got in contact with LOPA, hoping to bring it back. Now, they are at over 50 members.
Throughout the rest of the year, Termini said that the group plans on hosting panels that will discuss both the medical and personal sides of organ donation. They will bring in medical professionals and the families of organ donation heroes.
“I really just want people joining to understand the weight of how important our message is and how it’s a life-saving choice to become a donor,” Termini said.
At this year’s Auburn vs. LSU game, the Perry and Boswell families hosted their annual “Heart of the Tiger” tailgate. Termini said that the two families were united tragically through organ donation. They advocate for better education on the subject and encourage people to be donors.
“I am really looking forward to sharing more stories with our members and hopefully that experience into the campus and LSU community,” Termini said.
Third-year member Brianna Wesselhoff said that she has always been passionate about organ donation and was so happy she was introduced to Tigers for Donating Life and LOPA after having a conversation with Schmelz during one of their classes.
“There is a lot of lack of information about organ donation in the world today, and people today don’t understand how great it can truly affect and enhance someone’s life,” Wesselhoff said.
The group hopes to meet during the first week of every month and host events every few weeks. On Oct. 25, they will be at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital for Trunk or Treat.
“Organ donation seems like a scary topic, as nobody wants to talk about an afterlife situation,” Wesselhoff said. “But if you truly see the beautiful things it has done for many other people, it is worth looking into.”
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