This subject is very dear and close to my heart. As a Paramedic for almost 23 years, I have seen a lot of life given in what was done to save the patient, and I have seen a lot of death, from Cardiac patients waiting for a heart, or Kidney failure patients waiting for someone who is compatible. I have to admit, back when I was 16 and getting my drivers license and they asked if I wanted to become an organ donor, I said sure without even thinking about what it entailed. Now after all this time, and after all I have seen, I know the importance of what it means, and how it can impact many lives in some cases.
This is what is on my Drivers License.
I wanted to preface everything I am sharing by stating, I know that there are times when it’s against ones religion to do so, or you just don’t believe in doing it yourself, and that is perfectly okay, some family may not want to see a loved one go to surgery for recovery of the organs, and then have to grieve afterwards, I am very sympathetic to those, and respect anyone who chooses not to donate for the reasons they have.
But in most cases, I implore all of you to consider organ donation so that others may benefit and live on because of you! What is good about organ donation is that you can choose to donate everything that is healthy and recoverable, or you can select what you want specifically if you don’t want everything taken at once. It is also important that if you choose to to become an organ donor that you tell your family and your friends, why? if you don’t they won’t really know what your wishes are, and may battle against the donation of your organs. So it is very important to sit down with everyone and discuss how you feel, why you are doing it, and what good it will do for other people.
The Need is Real!
118,611 people are waiting for an organ
18 people will die each day waiting for an organ
1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives
Why Donate? (from organdonor.gov)
Because you may save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance many others through tissue donation. Last year alone, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible. Another one million people received cornea and other tissue transplants that helped them recover from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss.
Unfortunately, thousands die every year waiting for a donor organ that never comes. You have the power to change that.
So how can you become an organ donor if you are not currently one? When you renew your license you can elect to do so then, or you can go to your State’s government website and look for it there, or you can go the easy route and check out this map that you can find here from organdonor.gov! The map allows you to click your state, and it will take you to a page where you can find out how to sign up easily and quickly.
Handles most cases here in Ohio, may cover your state as well.
If you want even more information head on over to organdonor.gov for further detailed stats, and resources if you want to discuss about it at home with others, in church groups, almost any situation where getting others to help save a life would apply.
So are you currently an organ donor? is anyone in your family one? Would love to know your thoughts, please share this with others if you think it would benefit them! Remember to have a great day, and smile!
#lifebanc #organdonation @Lifebanc @DonateLife
@GiveandLetLive #life
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This is SO important. My mom died at 33 years old (I was just 13 and my brother was 3) of heart disease – she was on the transplant wait list, but there are just so few donors and so many people waiting. I urge everyone to please sign up – you can’t take them with you!
Thank you for your comment Krista, have a fantastic day, I am sorry to hear about your mom, and it is ever important of what we can still give after we die. Many hugs, and thank you for being here. Tom.
I am a donor and proud of it. I am also looking into donating my body to the science dept. @ Case Western.
Totally awesome Deb, love that you are, and thank you for being one! <> Miss ya!
I’m an organ donor!!
Awesome, Thank you!
I have always believed it was one of the greatest gifts you could ever give, especially if it saves another’s life once yours is over. For the longest time I thought my religion forbid this, but after my dad passed, I saw on his license that he was an organ donor, so now I am too!
I totally agree Alaina, I am glad you are one now. Thank you so much for your comment, thanks for being here. Tom.