Every April, we recognize National Donate Life Month and place a special focus on organ donation and why it matters so much. Chances are, you probably already know quite a bit about organ donation, and you may even be a registered donor already (kudos to you!). If not, we’re shedding light on the simple yet important reasons why everyone should become a donor. Read on to learn more.
Every 10 Minutes, Someone is Added to the Transplant Waiting List
Because the need for eye, organ, and tissue donations far outweighs the availability of donations, patients who need a transplant are often added to a waiting list before they can get the life-saving or life-changing care they need. According to Donate Life, it’s estimated that someone new is added to a transplant waiting list every 10 minutes. For some, the wait will be relatively short. For others, help might not come in time.
20 People Die Every Day Due to a Lack of Organ Donation
This lack of available organ donations is more than just an inconvenience to patients, it’s something that can mean the difference between life or death. And the continued shortage of donors is what leads to an estimated 7,000 deaths every year in the United States.
A Single Donor Can Help up to 75 People
Most movies and TV shows make us think that organ donations come at the last minute and help save the life of a key character, but the reality is that a single organ donor can actually have a far bigger impact than just one recipient.
Sure, you only have one heart or liver to donate when you pass away, but there are several other organs and vital tissues that save the life of or help in the healing process for up to 75 people. Tissue donation, in particular, has especially wide-reaching benefits because it can be used for those who are in need of skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, heart valves, and more.
Becoming an Organ Donor is Incredibly Easy
If you’re worried about how much time it’s going to take you to register to become an organ donor, don’t be! It takes no more than a few minutes to sign up.
Visit DonateLife.org to register today — it’s fast and secure, so it’s never been easier to become someone’s hero.
How We’re Working to Increase Donor Registration in Southern Maryland
The team at UM Charles Regional Medical Center takes organ donation very seriously, and we’re constantly working to get more people to register for this important cause. Our hospital has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for our efforts to increase organ, eye, and tissue registrations across the state.
Visit our website to learn more about how we’re working to expand the organ donor database in our local community. And if you’re still hesitant about becoming a donor yourself, be sure to check out the answers to these frequently asked questions about organ donation from Donate Life America.