Beech Tree News Network

Butler County's Circuit Court Clerk's office has been working tirelessly to educate their community about organ donation.  Through community outreach and asking every person who renews their driver's license if they would like to be a registered organ donor, they have reached the national goal of 50% of their total population on the registry!
This journey started back in 2013 when Circuit Court Clerk, Melissa Cardwell allowed her staff to attend the Trust For Life training at Kosair Charities in Louisville. "We were so inspired by all of the amazing stories about donation saving people's lives. We all felt it was important for us to do more for our community, so we took what we learned and started to spread the word," explains Cardwell.  At this time, Butler County had 41% of their residents signed up to be on the registry.
Since then, they have worked closely with the Trust For Life to educate and inspire their community to join the confidential Kentucky Organ Donor Registry.  The Trust For Life was created by the Circuit Clerks in 1992 as a separate 501C3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness about donation.  The Trust answers questions, overcomes myths, and educated the public about the crucial need for more registered donors in Kentucky.

If you have recently visited Cardwell's office, you may have seen a story posted on their wall about a woman named Elaine Phelps.  Elaine is a local kidney recipient who was blindsided by kidney disease in 2008.  Having led a healthy lifestyle of traveling, camping, and working with her horses, she seemed like the picture of health.  "Elaine was a special story to us here at the office.  We wanted to show our community that this mission could affect any of us at any time, " says Cardwell.  Elaine received her kidney in January of 2011 because someone selflessly sad "YES" to being an organ donor and saved her life.  "This person will forever be remembered as a hero to Elaine and her family," says Cardwell.  "We think that everyone should be given an opportunity to leave that kind of legacy."
Currently, there are nearly 5000 registered donors in Butler County thanks to the education and outreach efforts of your Circuit Court Clerk's office.  "If I needed an organ, or if a loved one needed one, I would want then to have it.  That is why we are so passionate about this mission to help SAVE LIVES by growing the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry," explains Cardwell.
Cardwell and her staff plan to keep up this momentum by participating in the Trust For Life's Legends Campaign.  The Legend ends Campaign gives the circuit clerk's offices the opportunist to earn points for going above and beyond while trying to educate their communities.  "We are excited to challenge ourselves to engage our community even further.  This is an exciting time for Butler County," says Cardwell.
Please visit the Trust For Life website www.trustforlife.org to learn more.  Don't forget to sign up to be a Registered Donor at www.donatelifeky.org to help Kentucky End the Wait!