organs - why YOU should donate
Ever think about what it means to be an organ donor? Ever wonder how to do it? Or even if you could donate, given the need? At one time or another you will be faced with this decision. Whether it’s at the time you recieve your license for the first time, or when you have a family, or perhaps if someone in your family becomes ill and is in need of a donation. Here are my 5 reasons why you should think even more about it.
1. it HELPS!
Each organ and tissue donor saves or improves the lives of as many as 50 people. Giving the “Gift of Life” may lighten the grief of the donor’s own family. Many donor families say that knowing other lives have been saved helps them cope with their tragic loss.
Get Started
- Register with your state donor registry, if available.
- Designate your decision on your driver’s license.
- Sign a donor card and carry it with you.
- Download a page of eight donor cards that you may print and sign.
- Talk to your Family. To help your family understand and carry out your wishes, sit down with your loved ones and tell them about your decision to be an organ and tissue donor. They can serve as your advocate and may be asked to give consent for donation or provide information to the transplant team.
To learn more visit www.organdonor.gov
2. there is a huge NEED for donors
| Waiting list candidates | 101,866 | as of 04/27/2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Transplants January - January 2009 | 2,357 | as of 04/27/2009 |
| Donors January - January 2009 | 1,170 | as of 04/27/2009 |
The waiting list is getting bigger and bigger. The number of patients requiring a life-saving transplant continues to increase, and at a much faster pace then available donors. Conservative estimates are that 300 new transplant candidates are added to the waiting list each month. Read more…
