New Stamp Focuses on Organ Donation

The first postage stamp encouraging organ and tissue donations was revealed to an audience of children, organ recipients and donors and celebrities as the World Children’s Transplant Fund marked its 10th anniversary Wednesday at a North Hills car dealership.

“This stamp hopefully will start the dialogue about organ and tissue donation,” said Michael Reid, executive director of the Encino-based fund. “We have 60,000 people in this country waiting for organs. It’s a terrible tragedy that we don’t have enough donors.”

Debuting Wednesday throughout the nation and at three other Southland sites, the 32-cent stamp is titled “Share Your Life” and shows two rounded figures holding each other’s hearts.

At the Valley event at Galpin Motors, Nickelodeon stars Angelica of the “Rugrats,” Josh Server of “All That” and “Good Burger,” and 17-year-old comedian Nick Cannon were on hand to celebrate the unveiling and anniversary.

The transplant fund, founded by former LAPD Deputy Chief Mark A. Kroeker shortly after his daughter died during liver transplant surgery, works to facilitate transplants in foreign countries.

Although the actors added a dash of humor, for many it was a time to share inspirational experiences.

“It was a liver transplant that saved his life,” said Paul Gyswyt, whose 2-year-old son Andrew had transplant surgery after spending more than five weeks on life support. “When he came home, he smiled all the time. It gave him back his life and his smile.”

For the children, the afternoon event was a chance to play games and get autographs. Kids had their faces painted, listened to music and visited a petting zoo with animals such as Milly the cow and two llamas named Dotie and Coco.

Event organizers hoped to get children involved with the discussions on organ and tissue donation.

“Maybe with the increased exposure, perhaps the 55,000 to 60,000 waiting for organs will get a second chance on life,” said Tom Ludovico, San Fernando postmaster. “Hopefully, it will bring about people’s concerns just by seeing the stamp.”