ODAC NY Hosts Second Youth Advocacy Month (YAM)
Organ Donation Awareness Corporation (ODAC) is an undergraduate-run, student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York City that is dedicated to educating youth on the importance of organ donation. In May 2023, ODAC launched Youth Advocacy Month (YAM), which aims to foster youth involvement and bring awareness to youth-led nonprofit organizations’ hard work and passion. In addition, the organization seeks to highlight various advocacy groups and individuals who have had a role in organ donation.
During the first half of May, ODAC led various online and in-person events, including additions to their Fireside Chats series, where viewers learn virtually about some of the most inspiring youth activists, educators, and change-makers. Fireside Chat guests included musician Billy Miller and the 3rd Street Band, who are advocates for Lyme Disease and Mental Health, and Vinny Johl MBA, a Commitment Mentor at Clinton Global Initiative University who is passionate about improving patient experiences.
In addition, ODAC hosted several tabling events at Washington Square Park in New York City, including one that implemented a trivia-style game where participants could spin the wheel, answer a trivia question, and receive a small prize if they answered correctly. These questions encouraged participants to learn more about organ donation and the importance of advocacy.
YAM provides a platform for the next generation to amplify their voices, encourage meaningful conversation, and empower their peers to advocate for the causes that matter most to them. Monumental change is created from individuals joining in mobilizing as a collective. To do this, ODAC has hosted a variety of webinars to actively collaborate with other advocacy groups and community members. On May 17th, 2023, Executive Director, Alex Fraser, and Public Relations Fellow & YAM Leader, Jade Nunez, led one of ODAC’s most successful collaborations thus far: a Transplant Support Organization x Organ Donation Awareness Corporation Webinar titled, “Harnessing the Power of Intergenerational Collaboration to Solve the Organ Donation Crisis.” In this webinar, Fraser and Nunez discussed ageism vs youngism, ways to close the generational gap, and collaborating to solve the Organ Donation Crisis. Fraser, Nunez, and the rest of the ODAC Team look forward to more collaboration with the Transplant Support Organization.
