Organ donation is the gift of life that keeps on giving, and the gift that truly goes around the world. Hawaii Five-0 star Alex O’Loughlin has fans who are rising to the challenge and helping others through Donate Life America.

The Ultimate Gift of Life

Outside Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa stands “the giving tree,” placed there for the first time this year, according to KTIV, in remembrance of those who have given the ultimate gift of life through organ donation.

There will undoubtedly be many people in need of such a gift this Christmas. And the entertainment industry is proving to be quite a powerful tool in making the giving of this gift possible.

20 Million in 2012

Donate Life America stands at the threshold of the new year with a national, year-long campaign to register “20 Million in 2012.” But at least one actor’s fans are not waiting until next year.

The Alex O’Loughlin Fans for Donate Life website http://www.alexoloughlinfansfordonatelife.com, headed by Sabine Atkins, has begun a Christmas greeting campaign for O’Loughlin to acknowledge his fans’ support of his platform with Donate Life as well as to raise awareness of organ donation.

According to Donate Life America National Chair and Campaign Director of Donate Life Hollywood Tenaya Wallace, O’Loughlin first became involved with Donate Life in 2009, when he starred as transplant surgeon Dr. Andy Yablonski in Three Rivers. He saw this role as a platform for speaking out for organ donation, and was subsequently trained by Wallace as an Ambassador for the organization.

Though Three Rivers was eventually cancelled, many of O’Loughlin’s fans continued to support him with this platform.

Ribbons for Organ Donation

Through January 1, fans of O’Loughlin (who now stars in Hawaii Five-0) are asked to purchase ribbons for one of two organ donation foundations, Taylor’s Gift and Zaidee’s Rainbow, and to then submit a photograph wearing those ribbons. (Since 2010, O’Loughlin has been Spokesperson for Taylor’s Gift).

Atkins hopes this will be the start of a huge voice on the listening end of potential organ donation registrants.

Alex O’Loughlin Fans for Donate Life

Atkins became interested in organ donation about 10 years ago, while still living in Germany. Already an O’Loughlin fan since his days on the CBS series Moonlight (a series he starred in prior to Three Rivers), she continued to support him through his role as Yablonski. When O’Loughlin trained to become a Donate Life Ambassador, Atkins branched out from her German fan club membership to create the Alex O’Loughlin Fans for Donate Life website and support him in this cause.

Campaign Plans

Through her website, Atkins has been able to effectively spread the word worldwide about organ donation. And, though her exact plans for the Donate Life “20 Million in 2012” campaign are still in the brainstorming stage, it is certain that she will be collaborating with Australian counterpart/co-administrator and social media expert Claire Eyles.

Atkins will also be working with Rock Scar Love Designs founder and liver transplant recipient, Amy Tippins, along with the creators of the Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation.

Rock Scar Love Designs and Zaidee’s Rainbow

Rock Scar Love Designs and Zaidee’s Rainbow represent opposite ends of the spectrum with their messages about organ donation. While Rock Scar reaches out to transplant recipients with the message that they don’t have to be ashamed or embarrassed by their scars, Zaidee’s Rainbow offers hope to families and patients through the gift of organ donation.

Zaidee’s Rainbow is an Australian organization in memory of seven year-old Zaidee, who passed away at the tender age of seven. Through her passing, she was able to save seven lives through organ and tissue donation. The mission of Zaidee’s Rainbow, as posted at http://zaidee.org, is simple: “After every storm, the sun shines, and there is a rainbow. For those people on the transplant waiting list, the rainbow symbol offers them hope.”

A Voice Heard Around the World

This is the hope of Atkins’ Alex O’Loughlin Fans for Donate Life that is heard around the world, from America to Germany to Australia and beyond. And, hopefully, it is the beginning of a successful campaign to reach “20 Million in 2012.”

Atkins recognizes that sometimes it is difficult for charities to effectively get the word out regarding their organization and is happy that the enthusiastic fans of O’Loughlin can join together and support him, and the cause, in this way. She is also thankful for O’Loughlin’s participation in the efforts of the Alex O’Loughlin Fans for Donate Life.