Q&A responses written by Richelle Shi, compiled by Zoe Engels, Contributing Writer and Editor
Get to know Richelle Shi, the founder and president of SODA at Stevenson High School and SODA National’s first-ever High School Student Liaison, in the Q&A below. We’re so grateful for the perspective Richelle has brought to the SODA National team and board as we continue to expand our support of student organ, eye, and tissue advocacy and education.
What got you interested in becoming an advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation?
A mix of personal and intellectual factors. With a heart recipient in my family, I began to ask questions: What role does insurance play in treatment accessibility? How can we adjust advocacy for cultural factors that deter donation? Organ donation is very multidimensional, and it pushes the boundaries of my thinking.
What does organ donation mean to you?
To me, organ donation is at the intersection of immense sacrifice and miraculous life, where every story is uniquely powerful. It embodies resilience of the human spirit. Transplantation is also at the forefront of innovation; I loved spending my summers working in an immunology lab developing new therapies for kidney transplants.
How did you first learn about SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates?
When I hunted the web for ways to be involved with decreasing the national waitlist, SODA was the largest student-centered organization.
What inspired you to found a chapter at Stevenson High School?
Addressing newer generations is the key to creating long-lasting change, and I wanted to be a part of that starting with my peers.
Can you tell us what it's like to be the Founder and President of a SODA chapter?
SODA provides a lot of flexibility when it comes to chapter leadership. I was able to work with Gift of Hope to shape our Driver’s Ed course and lead monthly events with my team. Each registration drive looks vastly different, whether at a 5k, a career fair, or a hospital lobby.
Please tell us about some of the events you've hosted!
Streetfest is a large outdoors festival, where we hosted a fun booth with organ donation themed trivia and activities annually. Another one of my favorites was hosting a table at Good Shepherd Hospital, where I interviewed organ recipients and recorded their stories.
Pictures of some SODA at Stevenson High School events
What made you want to continue and expand your advocacy as SODA National's first-ever High School Student Liaison?
I was hoping to expand on my role in local communities, working behind the scenes to see how youth advocacy looks across the nation. I also hoped to bring a high school perspective to the team, providing feedback on what it’s like to serve in a SODA chapter.
Please tell us more about your role as SODA's High School Student Liaison. What are some of the ways it has helped expand your advocacy and education efforts?
I have had the amazing opportunity to interact with SODA support systems and meet with the national board. For example, I was a speaker at the VIP Donors Event and got to know the individuals supporting our life-saving work. I always get to observe management skills that I bring back to our local chapter.
What's next for you?
I’ll be attending Stanford University in the fall, studying human biology and finance. I hope to develop my work in medicine and nonprofit leadership, and organ donation advocacy will continue to be a huge part of my journey.
What have you learned from being a part of SODA?
From a macro lens of working with OPOs to one-on-one dynamics within our Stevenson team, I’ve learned to value balance. Uncovering the complexity of varying perspectives allows me to be a more understanding advocate.
Thanks for all you do for organ, eye, and tissue donation advocacy, Richelle!
If Richelle’s story inspires you, visit sodanational.org/students to learn how you can get involved.