GREENVILLE, Mich. - A Greenville man received a Shining Star Award from the Secretary of State of Michigan Wednesday for his work in promoting organ, tissue and eye donation.
Larry Alman, a recipient of five cornea transplants since 1999, received the award.
"The vision isn't as good as it was once before, but at least I'm able to see. So many friends I grew up with can't see at all, so I'm grateful for what I have," Alman said.
According to the Secretary of State's office, Alman has made more than 70 visits to the local SOS office to talk about organ donation and he signed up more than 200 people to the Michigan Organ Donor Registry at one event in 2008. In 2014, Gift of Life Michigan reported a 70% increase in new donor registrants when he was at the branch office.
"I've been a supporter of helping other people all the time. I just feel it's fantastic. What a great opportunity for other people to have a second chance to live," Alman said.
Alman has been a member of the Greenville Lions Club since 1983. Lions Clubs throughout Michigan support eye health and cornea donation.
“Lion Larry Alman has logged almost 600 volunteer hours to spread life-saving and enhancing information about the Michigan Organ Donor Registry and has directly influenced more than 2,200 Michigan residents to become registered eye, organ and tissue donors,” said Alex Teska, Eversight Michigan community relations liaison in a press release. “We couldn’t think of a more deserving candidate to receive this award.”
Eversight Michigan nominated Alman for this award. If you know someone who would make a great candidate for the award click here or click here if you'd like to become an organ donor.
