The Jack Slater Community Excellence Award is given annually to an individual or organization who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to organ, eye, and tissue donation. Because of their commitment, donation has increased and positive public perceptions have been strengthened.

The Jack Slater Community Excellence Award is given in honor of Jack Slater. During his two year wait for a life-saving liver transplant Jack documented his story in a series of articles for the Seattle Times. Baring the most intimate details of life on the waiting list, Jack inspired the community to become more informed about organ donation and asked individuals to make their personal donation decisions. (See the 2003-2005 articles at www.seattletimes.com/jackslater.) Jack, along with his dedicated wife and caregiver, Deborah Swets, continued to advocate for organ donation awareness after Jack’s transplant in September 2004 and the subsequent reoccurrence of his liver disease. Jack Slater passed away March 2006 and will forever be remembered as voice within the community dedicated to ensuring the more than 1500 patients on the local transplant waiting list are provided a second chance at life through organ donation and transplantation.

2009 Award Recipient: Washington State Department of Licensing

The Department of Licensing has given us unprecedented access to their field employees; being included in the 9 week in-service training made it possible for us to speak personally to every single Licensing Services Representative. We know that the LSR’s take their role in the donation process seriously. We have felt an increase in public inquiry calls as a result of the informational flyers being distributed to all Licensing customers.
 
Director Elizabeth Luce paved the way for the May 2008 Give 5-Save Lives message from Governor Gregoire, encouraging all state employees to take 5 minutes to register their donation wishes. Last year, this effort resulted in an incredible 667 people registering online within 5 days of receiving the email message. This year, the Governor’s Give 5 Save Lives email resulted in 449 new online registrants in a one week period, 4 times the average rate of online registration!
 
For three years now, Washington State residents have been given the opportunity to donate a dollar when renewing their vehicle tabs.  Beginning in 2008, the Department of Licensing gave us the opportunity to include an insert in the millions of vehicle renewal notices mailed each year.  This insert informs people about the life saving impact that one dollar can have and we hope will encourage more people to donate a dollar and save a life.

2008 Award Recipients: John & Valerie Backus

John Backus is a living kidney donor for his dear friend, Larry Heitpas. The video “Decision to Donate” documented their family's emotional journey and the unconditional support illustrated by Valerie when her husband decided to give his kidney.

Since then, organ donation has become their cause… this significant commitment has made an impact in a short amount of time. In 2006 their vision brought the leading transplant centers to the same table to discuss ways to provide accurate information to potential donors. This collaboration resulted in the creation of the Living Donation Brochure and a grant from the Lucky Seven Foundation to support the development and promotion of the piece.

In 2007, John and Valerie moved our guests at the Luncheon Kick-off by sharing their experience as first time table captains at the Annual Giving Luncheon. They showed the ease of filling three tables as well as personally matched each of their guests' contributions. Then in 2008 they outdid themselves again, sending out more than 100 personally addressed invitations, and hosting more than seven tables.

There is no question that John and Valerie Backus go above and beyond for organ donation sharing with all who will listen about the power of one choice!

2007 Award Recipient: Governor’s Office of the State of Montana

The Governor’s Office of the State of Montana promotes donation and get results. In 2007, they ensured every single public high school in Montana would receive the Donate Life Today Youth Education materials, including a letter from Governor Brian Schwietzer encouraging teachers to utilize the curriculum. They mobilized the state’s population of AmeriCorps volunteers to promote donation throughout Donate Life Month. The Lieutenant Governor voiced a radio spot encouraging Montanans to register their donation wishes. Finally, the Governor himself emailed every single state employee and gave them 5 minutes of their work day to learn about donation and register their wish to donate life. That email caused the greatest surge in online registrations in the history of the Montana registry!

2006 Award Recipient: Kathi Goertzen

During the last five years (2001-2006) Kathi Goertzen, anchor of KOMO 4 News, has publicly supported organ donation through public service announcements, as our luncheon mistress of ceremonies, and as a dedicated friend of Donate Life Today. Her dedication to organ donation has built credibility for the cause and has favorably impacted the public’s perceptions about organ donation.