Sisolak, first responders encourage organ donation
By Glenn Puit Las Vegas Review-Journal
Nevada Donor Network Foundation President Steven Peralta, left, hugs Courtney Kaplan after she spoke about her organ donor son, Michael Sigler, Friday, April 1, 2022, during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas. Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, second from right, and Gov. Steve Sisolak, right, look on. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, from left, Nevada Donor Network Foundation President Steven Peralta, Nevada Donor Network President/CEO Joe Ferreira and Gov. Steve Sisolak talk after a proclamation presentation during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft, left, jokes with Gov. Steve Sisolak, right, Friday, April 1, 2022, while presenting a proclamation to Nevada Donor Network Foundation President Steven Peralta, background, during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Gov. Steve Sisolak is joined by Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft and others following a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. April is National Donate Life Month with the Nevada Donor Network in partnership with the Nevada State Police and several other first responder agencies throughout the state united to raise awareness. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Courtney Kaplan speaks about her organ donor son Michael Sigler during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Organ donation individuals are displayed during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Nevada Highway Patrol Capt. Kevin Honea, left, speaks beside Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft during a press conference encouraging Nevadans to become organ donors at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building on Friday, April 1, 2022, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Gov. Steve Sisolak joined the Nevada Highway Patrol and other first responders Friday to encourage Nevadans to become organ donors.
“It’s heroic. It is a potentially lifesaving act,” Sisolak said. “There are nearly 600 Nevadans waiting for a second chance at life — waiting for organ donation.”
Friday’s news conference at the Sawyer Building in downtown Las Vegas launched a campaign, “You Don’t Have to Wear a Badge to be a Hero,” organized by the Nevada Donor Network.
One of the supporters of the campaign is Courtney Kaplan, who spoke Friday about her son, Michael Sigler, 18. He had become an organ donor before his death from injuries sustained in a 2019 motorcycle crash in Las Vegas.
“When we realized that Michael would not be walking out of the hospital, we made sure that we honored his wishes,” Kaplan said. “When Michael was getting his motorcycle endorsement on his license, he had chosen to be an organ donor himself.”
She said her son’s decision to become an organ donor ended up saving at least eight lives and helped others through tissue and eye donation.
“You hope you never have to use that, but I am forever grateful,” she said.
Joe Ferreira, CEO for the Nevada Donor Network, said he’s thankful for the partnership with the first responders.
“First responders see firsthand how precious life can be,” Ferreira said. “We are so thankful for their willingness to educate the public about or mission and to inspire others to make the deeply compassionate choice to register as donor heroes.”
More information on how to become an organ donor is available at nvdonor.org.
