Mitchell Kuch is working hard to make sure as many people in the Clarkston area are signed up for the Michigan Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. He has good reason to do so: Kuch is close to completing his Eagle Scout project.
‘I wanted to pick a project to make a difference,? Kuch said.
Since November 2003, Kuch has been giving presentations on organ and tissue donation as well as working with registry officials to spread the word about the program.
‘I’m trying to educate as many people as possible,? Kuch said.
Kuch decided on the project and set out to sign up as many people as possible.
‘A lot of people build trails. Trails are good for a year, but I wanted to make a longer difference,? Kuch said. ‘Even if it is just one person.?
Kuch went to Ann Arbor to visit the registry’s headquarters and learn about the program. From there he came back to Clarkston armed with information.
‘The demand for organs is so great,? Kuch said.
To provide as much information as possible, Kuch has made presentations to PTAs, local businesses and organizations. He has passed out more than 2,000 potential donor cards and received close to 200 completed applications.
One of the points Kuch stresses to his audiences is the importance of putting one’s name on the actual registry and not just the back of a driver’s license. The registry must be complete to validate the license signature.
‘A driver’s license is truly not enough,? Kuch said. ‘People need to sign the registry.?
Kuch himself is signed up on the registry. There are no age restrictions.
Post-program plans involve possibly going to high schools throughout Michigan and even the nation to work with student groups on spreading awareness.
‘I’ve heard some really cool stories about people who have received an organ,? Kuch said.
A freshman at Clarkston High School, Kuch serves as the registry’s liaison for his troop, 192, out of Davisburg. Even when his project is finished he plans on staying active with the registry.
As of Sept. 1, there were 2,770 people waiting on Michigan’s registry for organs.
‘The most meaningful thing was meeting people who had received an organ,? Kuch said. ‘They could be dead now, but they’re not.?
To learn more about the registry or to have Kuch present to your organization, e-mail him at kuchfamilyscouts@comcast.net. Kuch can also send electronic forms of the sing-up brochure.