Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)
Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)

Marilyn Pongonis of Columbus, Ohio Receives Communications Award from Organ Donation Association

Marilyn Pongonis was presented with the 2016 AOPO Reg Green Award for Excellence in Communications at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations.

Marilyn Pongonis of Columbus, Ohio Receives Communications Award from Organ Donation Association
Vienna, VA, July 30, 2016 --(PR.com)-- On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations’ (AOPO) Public Education/Public Relations Council recognized Marilyn Pongonis by presenting her with the 2016 Reg Green Award for Excellence in Communications. Heather Blausey, AOPO Public Education/Public Relations Council chair, presented the national award at the Association’s 33rd Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas.

The Reg Green Award for Excellence in Communications honors a public relations or communications professional within the organ procurement organization (OPO) community for ongoing and dedicated service to the profession, whose contributions have heretofore gone unrecognized.

“In the nearly two decades she has committed her life’s work to this mission, she has seen many things change in this innovative industry,” said Blausey. “She is living for purpose and on purpose to advance this mission.”

Ms. Pongonis is the director of communications for Lifeline of Ohio, the OPO serving southeast and central Ohio along with parts of West Virginia. In this role she directs the organization’s public relations and community education activities and initiatives to increase donor designation and public awareness of the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. She has served on the AOPO Public Education/Public Relations Steering Committee, Donate Life America’s Advisory Committee, and as the chair of Donate Life Ohio.

Image: From Left to Right: Heather Blausey, AOPO Public Education/Public Relations Council chair and community relations manager for Lifeline of Ohio; Marilyn Pongonis, director of communications for Lifeline of Ohio.

About AOPO
AOPO is a non-profit, national organization representing all federally-designated organ procurement organizations (OPOs). The Association represents and serves OPOs through advocacy, support and the development of activities that will maximize the availability of organs and tissues and enhance the quality, effectiveness and integrity of the donation process.

About OPOs
OPOs are federally-designated non-profit organizations that are responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation across the United States, bridging the gap between the generous donation of organs and tissues, and the thousands in need of these life-saving and life enhancing gifts. The federal government has designated 58 organizations in the U.S. to oversee the organ donation process. These organizations are the national stewards of the donation, and they work collaboratively with hospitals, medical professionals and their local community to build the programs, the systems and processes needed to make donation possible.
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Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO)
Melissa Margulies
(703) 556-4242 Ext. 202
www.aopo.org
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