April is National Donate Life Month
In conjunction with NHDD, the entire month of April is National Donate Life Month. According to the OrganDonor.Gov website, National Donate Life Month was established in 2003 so that every day in April "people across the U.S. can make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors and to encourage more Americans to follow their fine example."Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors:
- More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.
- Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.
- An average of 18 people dies each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.
The OrganDonor.Gov website suggests the following ways to make your organ donation intentions known:
- Register with your State Donor Registry.
- Say yes to donation on your driver's license.
- Tell your family, friends, physician, and faith leader that you want to be a donor.
- Fill out and sign a donor card, have it witnessed, carry it with you.
Reprinted with permission from St. Francis Hospital & Health Services.http://www.stfrancismaryville.com/AboutUs/Newsroom/Pages/AprilObservancesIncreasesAwarenessofAfter-LifeHealthcareDecisions.aspxImage courtesy of winnond at FreeDigitalPhotos.net