Fees from new Kansas license plate to go to transplant donor program

There’s a new license plate in town that could help save someone’s life or sight.

The “Donate Life” specialty plate is designed to encourage Kansas residents to join the state’s transplant donor registry program.

Financial proceeds from sales of the plate will benefit the Midwest Transplant Network and be used to maintain the registry and community education efforts, said Sedgwick County Treasurer Linda Kizzire, who presented the new plate Wednesday at the county commission meeting.

Kizzire said she had a strong personal reason for supporting the plate. Her mother has had cornea transplants in both eyes.

“Without the donation from someone else, she would not be able to see,” Kizzire said.

The plate is available at all local car-tag offices statewide.

The cost is a one-time Department of Revenue fee for $46.50 to convert from a standard plate, plus an annual $40 contribution to the transplant network. The contribution is tax-deductible.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Fees from new Kansas license plate to go to transplant donor program."