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Transplant Recipients International Organization,
Inc. (TRIO) is a non-profit international
organization committed to improving the quality of
lives touched by the miracle of transplantation
through support, advocacy, education, and awareness.
Through the TRIO International Office in Washington,
DC, a network of chapters throughout the United
States and the world, TRIO provides a range of
services to its community, including Awareness,
Support, Education and Advocacy.
 Since
its incorporation in 1987, TRIO has grown
tremendously. A network of chapters, with many
support groups in varying phases of development,
provides a peer-counseling support system and
facilitates programs to educate the public about the
acute need for donation.
TRIO Facts
 TRIO's
symbol is the Tree of Life (a registered trademark).
With its intertwining branches, it represents the
intertwining of the lives of two human beings, the
donor and the recipient, through the Gift of Life.
Green, the color of growth and new life, was chosen
for the tree to reinforce the new beginning
transplantation gives to the recipient.
TRIO's accomplishments are many - both through the
International headquarters in Washington, DC and
local chapters worldwide. TRIO has:
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Established itself as the primary organization
representing transplant candidates, recipients,
donors and their families for the United States
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
and the Division of Transplantation.
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Advocated for legislation that created National
Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week (NOTDAW).
This national endeavor has now grown into
"National Donate Life Month." TRIO and the
transplant community now celebrate Donate Life
Month throughout the month of April each year.
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Co-sponsored National Donor Day with Saturn and
the United Auto Workers. National Donor Day is
an annual event held on the Saturday closest to
Valentine's Day each year. Saturn car retailers
across the country open their show rooms to TRIO
chapter and members to share the important donor
awareness message.
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Co-sponsored the National Donor Sabbath Weekend
with HHS's Division of Transplantation. TRIO
members work closely with their spiritual
leaders to share the donor awareness message
with followers at services the second weekend in
November.
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Testified before Congress about regulations that
affect organ and tissue donation and
transplantation. TRIO works closely with
Senators and Congressmen to ensure that the
patient and donor family's voice is heard.
TRIO continues to work on behalf of transplant
candidates and recipients by advocating for
extension of Medicare's immunosuppressive drug
coverage and for other bills of concern to
candidates, recipients, donors, and donor families.
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