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About TRIO
Fact Sheet
Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc. (TRIO)
is a non-profit international organization committed to improving the
quality of lives touched by the miracle of transplantation through
support, advocacy, education, and awareness. Through the TRIO
International Office in Washington, DC, a network of chapters
throughout the United States and the world, TRIO provides a range of
services to its community, including Awareness, Support, Education and
Advocacy.
Since its incorporation in
1987, TRIO has grown tremendously. A network of chapters, with many
support groups in varying phases of development, provides a
peer-counseling support system and facilitates programs to educate the
public about the acute need for donation.
TRIO Facts
TRIO's symbol is the Tree of
Life (a registered trademark). With its intertwining branches, it
represents the intertwining of the lives of two human beings, the donor
and the recipient, through the Gift of Life. Green, the color of growth
and new life, was chosen for the tree to reinforce the new beginning
transplantation gives to the recipient.
TRIO's accomplishments are many - both through the
International headquarters in Washington, DC and local chapters
worldwide. TRIO has:
- Established itself as the primary organization representing
transplant candidates, recipients, donors and their families for the
United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the
Division of Transplantation.
- Advocated for legislation that created National Organ and
Tissue Donor Awareness Week (NOTDAW). This national endeavor has now
grown into "National Donate Life Month." TRIO and the transplant
community now celebrate Donate Life Month throughout the month of April
each year.
- Co-sponsored National Donor Day with Saturn and the United
Auto Workers. National Donor Day is an annual event held on the
Saturday closest to Valentine's Day each year. Saturn car retailers
across the country open their show rooms to TRIO chapter and members to
share the important donor awareness message.
- Co-sponsored the National Donor Sabbath Weekend with HHS's
Division of Transplantation. TRIO members work closely with their
spiritual leaders to share the donor awareness message with followers
at services the second weekend in November.
- Testified before Congress about regulations that affect
organ and tissue donation and transplantation. TRIO works closely with
Senators and Congressmen to ensure that the patient and donor family's
voice is heard.
TRIO continues to work on behalf of transplant candidates and
recipients by advocating for extension of Medicare's immunosuppressive
drug coverage and for other bills of concern to candidates, recipients,
donors, and donor families.
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