National Donate Life Month

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pril is National Donate Life Month.  Established by Congress in 1983 as National Organ Donation Awareness Week it was expanded to full month in 2003 and the name was changed to National Donate Life Month.  This change was to allow more time for public awareness events to educate people on the ever growing need for organ donation.  To understand the magnitude of the need consider that as of 10:10 pm eastern time today there are 106,783 other people waiting for a transplant along with me.  In 2009 (most recent data available) 14,631 people donated organs resulting in 28,464 transplants.  Clearly there is a tremendous need that is not being met.  A need that is met one donor at a time.  A need that you can help meet.

“Do you have the heart to be a donor?”  All of my life I have been a passive proponent of organ donation.  I never felt compelled to take a more active role in promoting organ donation but strongly supported it anytime the subject came up with family, friends or co-workers.It seem simple and logical, if I no longer need my organs why not allow them to by used by someone in desperate need.  With the recent events in my live and now finding myself waiting for a liver transplant I feel much more compelled to be an active proponent of this cause, something I wish I had done years ago.

The Waiting List from Down Home Films on Vimeo.

We all have a desire to leave behind some kind of legacy.  Most often we thing of our family as being our legacy, but there is another legacy we can leave, life.  Each organ donor has the potential to save the lives of 8 other people.  Consider that legacy, not only our own family but eight other families.  That is a powerful legacy.

If you are not currently and organ donor think about about.  Visit Donate Life America today to learn how to register to be an organ donor in your state.  Most importantly talk to your family about your decision so that they understand your wishes.  Create or update your advance directive to also state your desire to be an organ donor.

You have the ability to help end the wait.