Donate Life America Teams Up With PGA TOUR Golfer And Two-Time Heart Transplant Recipient Erik Compton To Raise Organ Donation Awareness

RICHMOND, Va., May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Donate Life America (DLA) announced today that it has partnered with PGA TOUR golfer and two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton on a new educational campaign, "Play Through with Erik Compton," which is supported by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.  "Play Through" aims to raise public awareness of organ donation and urge Americans to consider becoming organ donors.

"Last year, Donate Life America achieved a significant milestone when the 100 millionth American registered to become an organ donor," said David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America. "One of our goals in 2012 is to build on that success and register an additional 20 million donors. In his rookie year on the PGA TOUR, Erik's incredible story will reach golf fans, sports enthusiasts and beyond, and we hope inspire them to sign up today to save lives."

"Off the golf course, organ donation is a topic that is very personal to me, which is why I am so excited to be partnering with Donate Life America," said Compton. "I hope that by sharing my experience with others, Americans can see for themselves how important it is to learn the facts about organ donation and consider taking the next step of registering to become an organ donor."

"Play Through" will travel to five cities in the United States in 2012, highlighting the importance of organ donation and educating the public on how to register to become a donor.

For more information on organ donation, transplantation and to learn how to become an organ donor, please visit Donate Life America's website at www.donatelife.net.

About Organ Donation and Transplantation
There are more than 113,000 patients who are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list. An average of 18 people die every day while waiting for a transplant; this is due to a shortage of available organs. Approximately 90 percent of Americans say they support organ donation, but only 30 percent know the essential steps that need to be taken in order to become a donor.

About Erik Compton
PGA TOUR rookie Erik Compton holds the distinction of being the only professional golfer in the world to compete with a transplanted heart. The 2011 season was momentous for Compton as he enjoyed three top-5 finishes on the Nationwide Tour, including a win in the Mexican Open. During any given tournament week, Compton can be found volunteering his time for special events and hospital visitations to meet transplant recipients and their families in support of organ donation and transplant awareness.

Compton was diagnosed with viral cardiomyopathy, a disease that inflames the heart muscle and limits its ability to pump blood, at the age of 9. After his first heart transplant in 1992 at age 12, Compton gave up contact sports and began playing golf. His second transplant came in 2008 and marked a turning point in his professional golf career.

About Donate Life America
Donate Life America is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and state teams across the United States committed to increasing organ, eye and tissue donation.  Donate Life America manages and promotes the national brand for donation, Donate Life, and assists Donate Life State Teams and national partners in facilitating high-performing donor registries; developing and executing effective multi-media donor education programs; and motivating the American public to register now as organ, eye and tissue donors.

SOURCE Donate Life America