Across the United States, there are 100,000 people waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Each day, 18 people on the waiting list die waiting for one.

On Wednesday, NIU Athletics and Secretary of State Jesse White’s office announced a partnership with the “Life Goes On” organ and tissue donorship program.

“NIU is very proud to join Jesse White’s team to support this important program,” said NIU Athletic Director Jeff Compher. “For what we do in athletics, it’s not just limited to what we do on the field. Our mission statement clearly says that we are about developing champions — in the classroom, in competition and in life. We hope to get the word out and register as many people in this community and beyond as possible.”

The NIU-Eastern Michigan game Nov. 5 will be “The Life Goes On Game.” NIU athletes and coaches will be on hand to help register people for organ donation. There will also be promotional efforts leading up to the game promoting Life Goes On.

Each month, approximately 50,000 people sign up for organ donation, yet that is only 50 percent of people who visit a driver’s license facility in the same amount of time.

In 2006, the state started a new donor program.

In the past, a person’s decision to donate wasn’t legally binding and was up to the person’s family, and 20 percent of donors had their decision overturned.

Now, a person’s decision to donate will be carried out following death.

People who registered to be a donor before Jan. 1, 2006 have to re-register with the Secretary of State’s office to make sure their organs will be donated.

Illinois residents can register by going to www.lifegoeson.com, calling 1-800-210-2106 or by renewing their driver’s license or state ID at a driver’s license facility.

“I would hope that you will consider becoming a part of this meaningful program,” White said. “You will give someone else a second chance in life.”

Also on hand Wednesday were two heart-transplant recipients, DeKalb residents Jonathan Bell and Roger Grandys, as well as Jarrett Payton, son of the late Walter Payton, who died in 1999 waiting for a liver transplant.

Bell, 13, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy — when the heart cannot adequately pump blood. Bell received a heart transplant last spring and is on his way to a full recovery.

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