Brophy honors Robby Mayasich with inaugural on-campus drive

By Brett Mejia ’13
THE ROUNDUP

Brophy students had the opportunity to sign up and become an organ donor at Brophy in early December in honor of Robby Mayasich ’10.

The organ drive was hosted by DonateLifeAZ and anyone at Brophy or in the Phoenix community was eligible to register themselves to become a donor. More than 700 people did just that.

DonateLifeAZ’s mission is “make the most of life through the gift of organ and tissue donation,” according to DNAZ.org.

Last year Mayasich was killed while running in a relay race; however, with his death came life.

He was an organ donor and he was able to donate organs to 7 people.

“By living on through the lives of others, Robby became the inspiration to raise awareness for the Donate Life drive at Brophy,” said Brophy Vice President Ms. Adria Renke.

“After Robby’s death the Brophy community saw firsthand the power of organ donation and committed to approaching the Student Council for their support,” Ms. Renke said.

Research from Donor Network of Arizona found a record of 703 donors people registered as organ and tissue donors from the Brophy and Phoenix community.

“Brophy student council members John Medici ’12, Andrew Lombard ’11 and Jobert Adan ’12 eagerly volunteered to take the lead on the donor drive and from that point on led and executed the drive,” Ms. Renke said.

Throughout Arizona, Dnaz.org reports that more than 2,000 people are in need of an organ transplant and everyday 131 people are added to the national organ transplant waiting list. However, 18 people die every day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

From one organ donation eight lives can be saved.  If one makes a donation of organ and tissue 50, lives can be saved.

“Brophy will strive to keep the Donate Life drive an annual event not only to remember and honor the life of Brophy alum Robby Mayasich but to also raise awareness for the gift of life that organ donors give,” Ms. Renke said.