EAST STROUDSBURG - East Stroudsburg University will host and Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Day, this Monday, January 29th at 5:30 p.m. during the women's and men's basketball game against Mansfield University.

The event is organized and sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in partnership with Pennsylvania's two organ donor programs, the Center for Organ Recovery (CORE) and Gift of Life Donor Program, to draw attention to the critical need for organs for lifesaving transplants.

During Monday's basketball game, members of the East Stroudsburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will distribute donor cards and literature about organ and tissue donation and encourage students, faculty, parents and alumni to sign donor cards and talk with their families about donating life.

All 14-member institutions of the PSAC will participate in the program throughout the basketball season. Over 13,000 donor cards will be distributed to fans in attendance at the games.

When considering organ donation it is important to remember these facts. More than 79,000 people in the United States and more than 5,000 across the state await lifesaving organ transplants and thousands more benefit from life-enhancing tissue transplants. A single decision to donate can save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

Research shows that while most Americans support organ donation, less than half actually make a decision to donate. Sadly, 16 people die every day in the U.S. while waiting for a life-saving transplant.

The East Stroudsburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the PSAC project will raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation on behalf of the thousands of Pennsylvania residents awaiting a second chance at life.

For more information about the PSAC Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Promotion contact Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner at 570-484-2512. For more information about organ and tissue donation please contact in western Pennsylvania, CORE, at 800-DONORS7 or in eastern Pennsylvania, the Gift of Life at 888-DONORS1.