Latino Lubbock Opens Its Pages to Promote Donation

LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE OPENS ITS PAGES TO PROMOTE DONATION

-- Magazine commits to empowering community to save lives --

Lubbock, Texas (July 28, 2011) – The first and only Hispanic magazine in Lubbock recently declared its support to help promote organ and tissue donor awareness in the state of Texas.

Latino Lubbock Magazine is the first publication in the Lubbock area to become a Workplace Partner with LifeGift, the local agency that recovers organs and tissues for individuals needing transplants in North, Southeast and West Texas. Spearheaded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Workplace Partnership for Life initiative is designed to increase donor awareness among Fortune 500 companies, hospitals and other entities. As a Workplace Partner, Latino Lubbock will provide educational resources to its staff and encourage organ and tissue donation among its service community.

“Our magazine has become an educational tool for the Hispanic community and we know that education is vital within our culture,” said Christy Martinez-Garcia, Publisher/Editor for Latino Lubbock Magazine. “Our magazine is the perfect platform to spread awareness about donation and we are eager to do our part to help within the Latino community.”

Nationally, there are more than 110,000 men, women and children waiting for a lifesaving transplant. In Texas alone, there are almost 11,000 people -- with a large majority being Hispanic.

“At LifeGift, we envision a community where everyone says ‘yes’ to donation,” said Schawnte’ Williams-Taylor, Managing Director of LifeGift’s West Region. “We look forward to a continued partnership with Latino Lubbock Magazine to make that vision a reality.”

While the Glenda P. Dawson Donate Life – Texas Registry is gaining momentum and numbers have improved dramatically, less than 10 percent of Texans over the age of 18 are registered. Registering to become an organ, eye and tissue donor is simple. It’s free and it takes less than five minutes. There are three easy ways to register:

- Electronically via www.donatelifetexas.org.

- In person at the Department of Public Safety Office (DPS) or the DPS website.

- Online with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when renewing vehicle registration.

For more information about LifeGift and the registry, visit www.lifegift.org. For more information about Latino Lubbock Magazine, visit www.latinolubbock.net.

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About LifeGift

LifeGift is a not-for-profit organ procurement organization dedicated to recovering organs and tissue for individuals needing transplants in 109 Texas counties in North Texas, Southeast Texas and West Texas. For more information, go to www.lifegift.org or 1-800-633-6562.

About Latino Lubbock

Latino Lubbock Magazine is a Hispanic owned and operated publication focusing on news, trends, and information relevant to Lubbock Latinos. Published consistently since January 2007, Latino Lubbock Magazine is the first Hispanic magazine in Lubbock, Texas. For additional information, go to www.latinolubock.net or 806-792-1212.