ODAC Encourages Outreach & Education During Youth Advocacy Month: Overview
New York City, NY (6/12/23) – The Organ Donation Awareness Corporation (ODAC) is an undergraduate-run, student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City that is dedicated to educating youth on the importance of organ donation. In May 2023, ODAC launched Youth Advocacy Month (YAM), which aims to foster youth involvement and bring awareness to youth-led nonprofit organizations’ hard work and passion. In addition, the organization seeks to highlight various advocacy groups and individuals who have had a role in organ donation.
During the first half of May, ODAC led various online and in-person events, including additions to their Fireside Chats series, where viewers learn virtually about some of the most inspiring youth activists, educators, and change-makers. Fireside Chat guests included musician Billy Miller and the 3rd Street Band, who are advocates for Lyme Disease and Mental Health, and Vinny Johl MBA, a Commitment Mentor at Clinton Global Initiative University who is passionate about improving patient experiences.
In addition, ODAC hosted several tabling events at Washington Square Park in New York City, including one that implemented a trivia-style game where participants could spin the wheel, answer a trivia question, and receive a small prize if they answered correctly. These questions encouraged participants to learn more about organ donation and the importance of advocacy.
YAM provides a platform for the next generation to amplify their voices, encourage meaningful conversation, and empower their peers to advocate for the causes that matter most to them. Monumental change is created from individuals joining in mobilizing as a collective. To do this, ODAC has hosted a variety of webinars to actively collaborate with other advocacy groups and community members. On May 17th, 2023, Executive Director, Alex Fraser, and Public Relations Fellow & YAM Leader, Jade Nunez, led one of ODAC’s most successful collaborations thus far: a Transplant Support Organization x Organ Donation Awareness Corporation Webinar titled, “Harnessing the Power of Intergenerational Collaboration to Solve the Organ Donation Crisis.” In this webinar, Fraser and Nunez discussed ageism vs youngism, ways to close the generational gap, and collaborating to solve the Organ Donation Crisis. Fraser, Nunez, and the rest of the ODAC Team look forward to more collaboration with the Transplant Support Organization.
On June 1st, 2023, ODAC presented a fascinating Fireside Chat featuring Dr. Philippe Douyon, a renowned neurologist. Douyon went through college and medical school while suffering from kidney failure and contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic, requiring transplantation. Driven by his journey, he began to advocate for merging the patient experience with neurological insight to promote physical and mental well-being. Similarly, Evan Roden, a well-known proponent of organ donation, also participated in a fireside chat hosted by ODAC to spread awareness, educate, and encourage organ donation.
In addition to Fireside Chats, ODAC hosts Youth Partnerships, podcast-style interviews that discover topics beyond organ donation with other young adult advocates. The chosen advocate for this year’s Youth Partnership was Charlie O’Brien, recent McGill University graduate and founder of Caught on Tape, a fashion brand that challenges stereotypical norms of gender expression and fast fashion. O’Brien shares his discoveries, challenges, and overall journey as an advocate and entrepreneur with the audience, using his values of creativity, compassion, and integrity. With a dedicated mindset and kind heart, O’Brien is definitely on his way to success!
In a podcast interview with Terez Depasquale, listeners can hear the story behind Depasquale’s fierce advocacy for organ donation awareness. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Terez’s husband contracted COVID-19; his condition rapidly worsened, eventually leading to a medically-induced coma for six months. After reaching out to NYU’s organ transplant team with a sliver of hope left, Terez fought for a double lung transplant for her husband, which would be the only way to save his life. Today, Terez’s husband is healthy after successfully undergoing transplant surgery, and Terez has found a new purpose in organ donation advocacy and education.
Through Fireside Chats, tabling events, webinars, youth partnerships, and other collaborations, ODAC has spearheaded Youth Advocacy Month with much success. The organization is grateful for the hard work and dedication that the team has brought to the second annual Youth Advocacy Month, as well as the many organizations and individuals who have assisted in encouraging and advocating for organ donation and other advocacy issues.
For more information on ODAC outreach and events:
Instagram: @odac_ny
Website: odacny.org
Tiktok: @odacny
Podcasts*: https://www.odacny.org/highlights
* can be found at the lower half of the page
Sources: https://www.odacny.org/press/w7ch6k3t4gmtayghrh5yhzu9aepj0n