There are more than 45,000 Americans in need of organ donations, according to the Organ Donations Registry. About 320 people who registered for transplants died while waiting in 2001 in Illinois, according to the Organ and Tissue Donation Network.

Thanks to the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), there is a way for NIU students to help on campus.

“Organ donation is the best thing to do when the worst thing happens to you,” said Darrian Johnson, PRSSA’s assistant contact director. “My father was a paramedic, and he taught me the importance of organ donation. It is something that everyone should do.”

PRSSA will set up tables Thursday afternoon at the King Memorial Commons and at the Student Recreation Center. The tables will be filled with information about organ donation.

“We run this event along with the Secretary of State’s Office and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois,” said Marcelyn Love, president of PRSSA. “There will be opportunities for people to find out about organ donation and also opportunities to become one.”

The National Kidney Foundation of Illinois is one of 51 affiliates of the National Kidney Foundation. The foundation provides programs and educational services and materials for kidney patients, transplant patients and the public, according to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

“This will be our third-annual organ donor awareness event,” Love said. “All of our proceeds will go to the National Kidney Foundation, so all of our work is definitely worth it.”

PRSSA is a student-run organization that aims to help students in public relations jobs. They often have speakers, visit public relation firms and conduct workshops.

“On Sunday, April 28, we’ll be having a recognition event for all of the volunteers in the community,” said Connie Sommerville, PRSSA’s vice president. “We’re involved in our school as well as our community.”

After all of the information is passed out at the tables, PRSSA will sponsor the Organ Donor Bash. It will be held at 8 p.m. at Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Highway. The bash is only for people 21 and up and has a $5 cover charge. All proceeds from the bash will go to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

“Everyone in the community is invited to Otto’s whether you could make it to one of our tables of not,” Sommerville said. “This is just another way for people to sign a donor card or just learn more. Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun. We have a couple of bands playing, and it’s a good way to bring everyone together.”

For information on Organ Donor Awareness Day or PRSSA, call 753-7009.