HANCOCK — Students from the Copper Country ISD CTE Nurse Aide program are competing in a statewide challenge with other Michigan HOSA chapters to register new organ and tissue donors and inspire support for donation. HOSA chapters are part of the former Health Occupation Students of America, the organization now known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals.

The Gift of Life HOSA Challenge, and organ and tissue donor drive competition, runs through Nov. 22 For the next three weeks, students are signing up people to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. members of the public can sign up on the Donor Registry in honor of CCISD, scoring a point for the chapter.

In addition to registering new donors, students will encourage their classmates, teachers and supporters to sign up through various activities and events designed to raise awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation. At the end of the competition, awards will be presented to the chapter with the most new donor registration and the chapter with the most activities completed in support of donation.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Michigan HOSA to save and heal lives here in Michigan,” said Dorrie Dils, CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue recovery program. “The energy and enthusiasm of these students is inspiring. Last year they registered 816 new donors in three weeks! Their efforts give hope to the nearly 3,000 residents in our state waiting for life-saving organ transplants.”

“I am very excited about participating this year in the Gift of Life Challenge. My family knows first-hand about giving the gift of life as a family member who has cystic fibrosis received a double lung transplant in April 2018,” stated Lorie Maki BSN, RN, CTE Nurse Aide Instructor, and HOSA Advisor.

Samantha Pohl, assistant director of Michigan HOSA, added: “With over 7,000 HOSA members spread across the state, this challenge is a fun way to make our organizations feel more cohesive, all while spreading awareness of organ donation. We are thankful for this opportunity with Gift of Life and ppreciate them taking an interest in future health professionals.”

To sign up in honor of Copper Country ISD HOSA, visit http://rmd.me/8yiG6vmsbE9. Winners and participating schools will be recognized at the HOSA State Leadership Conference.