University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Off Script: Panthers Play it Forward
9/15/2017 3:00:00 PM | General
Pitt Joins Pittsburgh Professional Teams to Advance Organ Transplantation Awareness
A pioneer in the medical community, the University of Pittsburgh has long been heralded for its contributions in the area of organ transplantation. Continuing the city's history of advancement in the field, Pitt Athletics announced Tuesday its commitment to establishing the city of Pittsburgh as the national leader in organ donation. The Panthers teamed up with Play it Forward Pittsburgh to transform the way the community feels about organ donation and transplantation.
"It is a tremendous honor and opportunity to support the Citrone family and Play It Forward Pittsburgh," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "Our city has an amazing history in the area of organ transplantation and is fitting that Pittsburgh be one of the leaders in registered organ donors."
At Saturday's football game against the ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, representatives of Play it Forward Pittsburgh will join members of the Pitt Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Heinz Field, registering fans as organ donors and helping raise awareness for the cause and relevant policy updates.
"As a group, SAAC is excited to have Pitt be a part of this fantastic initiative to advance the field of organ donation," said SAAC president Brian Popp, a redshirt junior linebacker on the Panther football squad. "Knowing Pitt's incredible history with organ transplantation through Dr. Starzl and so many others, it is only fitting that we continue that legacy by working with Play it Forward Pittsburgh."
Founded by Pittsburgh-area natives Rob and Cindy Citrone, the four-month, "season-long" campaign has joined forces with the city's major sports teams to advance the cause. While Pittsburgh is looked at as the City of Champions, as well as the founding city for organ transplantation, Play It Forward Pittsburgh is aiming at giving Pittsburgh the title of leader in organ donation as well.
For decades, the city has been at the forefront of the lifesaving field, developing the nation's first liver transplant program in 1981 and conducting the first successful double organ transplant in 1984. In 1985, UPMC established the Starzl Transplant Institute, named for Dr. Thomas Starzl, a former UPMC researcher, commonly known as the father of modern transplantation.
Almost every 10 minutes a new name is added to the organ transplant list, with more than 116,000 people awaiting a lifesaving organ. On average, 20 people day each day waiting to receive an organ and just one donor can save up to eight lives. It is reported that, while 95 percent of Americans support organ donation, only 54 percent are registered.
"We are 'Pittsburgh proud' to work in our hometown and build upon the transformative work that Pittsburgh has always done in organ transplantation," said philanthropist Cindy Citrone. "Being champions in medicine and sports is an integral part of our identity, and we're leveraging that in order to educate citizens and ultimately register more organ donors."
The game isn't the first contribution the University of Pittsburgh has made to the cause, as more than 50 Pitt students registered to be organ donors at the New Student Orientation & Student Activities Fair on Aug. 26 at the Petersen Events Center.
In addition to Saturday's game, Play It Forward Pittsburgh will team up with the Pittsburgh Pirates as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 22 at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Penguins when they square off with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 9 at PPG Paints Arena, and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they face the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Dec. 10.
For more information on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh campaign, visit their website at www.playitforwardpgh.com.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi Play It Forward | Theodora Polamalu Play It Forward
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
"It is a tremendous honor and opportunity to support the Citrone family and Play It Forward Pittsburgh," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "Our city has an amazing history in the area of organ transplantation and is fitting that Pittsburgh be one of the leaders in registered organ donors."
At Saturday's football game against the ninth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, representatives of Play it Forward Pittsburgh will join members of the Pitt Student-Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Heinz Field, registering fans as organ donors and helping raise awareness for the cause and relevant policy updates.
"As a group, SAAC is excited to have Pitt be a part of this fantastic initiative to advance the field of organ donation," said SAAC president Brian Popp, a redshirt junior linebacker on the Panther football squad. "Knowing Pitt's incredible history with organ transplantation through Dr. Starzl and so many others, it is only fitting that we continue that legacy by working with Play it Forward Pittsburgh."
Founded by Pittsburgh-area natives Rob and Cindy Citrone, the four-month, "season-long" campaign has joined forces with the city's major sports teams to advance the cause. While Pittsburgh is looked at as the City of Champions, as well as the founding city for organ transplantation, Play It Forward Pittsburgh is aiming at giving Pittsburgh the title of leader in organ donation as well.
For decades, the city has been at the forefront of the lifesaving field, developing the nation's first liver transplant program in 1981 and conducting the first successful double organ transplant in 1984. In 1985, UPMC established the Starzl Transplant Institute, named for Dr. Thomas Starzl, a former UPMC researcher, commonly known as the father of modern transplantation.
Almost every 10 minutes a new name is added to the organ transplant list, with more than 116,000 people awaiting a lifesaving organ. On average, 20 people day each day waiting to receive an organ and just one donor can save up to eight lives. It is reported that, while 95 percent of Americans support organ donation, only 54 percent are registered.
"We are 'Pittsburgh proud' to work in our hometown and build upon the transformative work that Pittsburgh has always done in organ transplantation," said philanthropist Cindy Citrone. "Being champions in medicine and sports is an integral part of our identity, and we're leveraging that in order to educate citizens and ultimately register more organ donors."
The game isn't the first contribution the University of Pittsburgh has made to the cause, as more than 50 Pitt students registered to be organ donors at the New Student Orientation & Student Activities Fair on Aug. 26 at the Petersen Events Center.
In addition to Saturday's game, Play It Forward Pittsburgh will team up with the Pittsburgh Pirates as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals Sept. 22 at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Penguins when they square off with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 9 at PPG Paints Arena, and the Pittsburgh Steelers as they face the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Dec. 10.
For more information on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh campaign, visit their website at www.playitforwardpgh.com.
Head coach Pat Narduzzi Play It Forward | Theodora Polamalu Play It Forward
#H2P | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Pitt Athletics | Panthers' Choice Recap
Monday, April 20
Pitt Athletics | The 2026 Panthers' Choice Awards Trailer 🎬
Monday, April 13
Pitt Athletics | Presenting the Victory Heights Arena and Sports Performance Center.
Monday, April 13
Pitt Cheer | Watch the Panther cheer team compete at nationals in Daytona!
Sunday, April 12