Scholarships aim to raise awareness about the critical need for organ donation and transplantation.
(January 3, 2025) – Since 1992, the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks has championed the lifesaving mission of organ donation. Inspired by personal experiences—including one Circuit Clerk’s loss of a loved one awaiting a heart transplant and others with connections to donation—the Circuit Clerks worked tirelessly to make a difference. Their efforts culminated in successful legislation passed by the Kentucky General Assembly, enabling Kentuckians obtaining a driver’s license to contribute to organ and tissue donation initiatives. Since 1992, these contributions have raised over $20 million for organ donation awareness, registering more than 2 million Kentuckians as donors and providing hope to the 100,000 Americans waiting for the gift of life.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” said Stacy Bruner, Trimble Co. Circuit Clerk and Board Treasurer of Donate Life Kentucky Trust. “We are thrilled to introduce this scholarship opportunity for students who are passionate about helping others and advocating for the lifesaving mission of donation.”
In 2020, the state transitioned driver’s licensing responsibilities from the Circuit Clerks’ Offices to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Despite this shift, the Circuit Clerks remain deeply committed to the educational efforts they initiated decades ago.
“The Circuit Clerks have been unwavering supporters of organ donation,” said Shelley Snyder, Executive Director of Donate Life Kentucky Trust. “The Endowment Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of the Circuit Clerks of Kentucky, recognizing their decades of dedication to helping those in need of life-saving transplants and supporting Kentucky families.”
When the Circuit Clerks introduced the organ donor program through dollar donations at driver’s license, it was the first program of its kind in the United States. This pioneering effort has since inspired similar programs in over 30 states. The funds raised are reinvested into Kentucky communities through public education initiatives and outreach events.
The new scholarship program offers students an opportunity to creatively express their passion for organ, eye and tissue donation and inspire others to register as donors. Students can submit projects in various forms, such as:
· Writing and sharing a song or video about donation on social media.
· Crafting a persuasive speech for their school about the importance of registering as a donor.
· Designing a cafeteria display to educate peers about donation and transplantation facts.
“This scholarship is unique because it doesn’t require a high GPA or extensive extracurricular involvement,” added Bruner. “We’ve intentionally made the application process straightforward, ensuring it is accessible to all students, including those whose lives have been impacted by personal or family health challenges. For instance, a student whose parent is on dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant may face obstacles that limit their participation in traditional extracurricular activities. This scholarship is designed to be inclusive and achievable for everyone.”
Applicants can receive a toolkit with information and ideas, but projects are meant to be personal, independent, and creatively tailored to their peers. Beyond the opportunity to earn a scholarship, students will develop valuable skills such as public speaking, marketing, graphic design, networking, and media outreach. Most importantly, they will play an essential role in spreading hope and saving lives through organ donation and transplantation.
The application deadline is April 7, 2025.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.donatelifeky.org/community-outreach/ *Photo from last year’s scholarship awards ceremony with the Kentucky Association of Circuit Clerks attached.
About Donate Life Kentucky Trust
Donate Life Kentucky Trust envisions a world where no one dies waiting for a transplant. Our mission is to educate and encourage Kentuckians to be registered organ and tissue donors to save lives. The dollars contributed at Kentucky Transportation Cabinet driver’s license counters and other philanthropic partners, including Network for Hope and Kosair for Kids, fund the statewide community outreach efforts to grow the state’s organ, eye and tissue donor registry. We also have three critical community funds to financially support families impacted by the mission. For more info, call 1-866-945-5433, email info@donatelifeky.org, or visit www.donatelifeky.org.
(Circuit Clerk Dennis Loy; Shelley Snyder, Executive Director – Donate Life Kentucky Trust)