Give the Greatest Gift

Be an Organ Donor

If you could save a life, would you? Or better yet, several lives? That's something you can easily do by signing up to become an organ donor. Your generosity, in fact, could save multiple lives. It might also help many others who need donated tissue to recover from burns and other injuries or to regain lost vision or hearing.

A Widespread Need

On any given day in this country, about 100 people receive organ transplants, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But also on a daily basis, 17 people die waiting for transplants that can't take place because of a shortage of donated organs.

Right now, there are more than 109,000 people on waiting lists for a kidney, heart, liver, lung or other organ. Others need tissue—including skin, veins, heart valves, the cornea and the middle ear.

Don’t Rule Yourself Out

There are very few absolute restrictions on who can be an organ donor. Age doesn't matter, though donors younger than 18 need a parent's consent. Newborns as well as seniors have saved and improved lives.

Some medical conditions might eliminate you as a donor, such as a systemic infection or an active cancer. But most people are potential donors. And doctors will evaluate your suitability—and the condition of your organs—if the occasion arises.

"Making the decision to donate your organs could save the lives of up to eight people," says Daphne Estrada, MSN, RN, CCRN, Administrative Director of Critical Care and Cardiovascular Services. "While it may not affect someone within the community or state, it will affect someone by giving them another chance of life."

Sign Up

April is National Donate Life Month. It's the perfect time to make the decision to register as a donor and to encourage others also to take this step. One way to become an organ donor is to go online to organdonor.gov and sign up. But to cover all bases, it's best to:

• Designate your decision on your driver's license, if possible.
• Tell your doctor, family and friends about your decision.
• Include organ donation in your will and advance directives.

"Thinking about decisions like these can be hard, but it's so worth it in the end," Daphne says. "So many good things can come from a tragedy. The end of your life could mean the beginning of another's."

Sign Up To Save Lives

Your gift could mean someone else has a second chance at life. If you're interested in becoming an organ donor, you can sign up or learn more at organdonor.gov.

Register Today