DONATE LIFE NORTH DAKOTA - ORGAN DONATION REGISTRY UP AND RUNNING - IN MEMORY OF ALEXA KERSTING

Source: The Bismarck Tribune

By JENNY MICHAEL | Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 1:10 pm | (2) Comments

The Web site, http://www.donatelifend.org, was unveiled today during a news conference at the North Dakota State Capitol Building’s Memorial Hall.

The Legislature passed a bill allowing such an online registry system during the 2009 session. The state Department of Transportation worked with LifeSource, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization, to create the Web site.

The registry was created in memory of Alexa Kersting, a 14-year-old West Fargo girl who died in 2004 while waiting for a lung transplant. Her parents, Monica and Loren, were at the conference.

North Dakota has the second highest rate of registered organ donors among the states, with 64 percent of people with driver’s licenses or identification cards consenting to be organ donors. Monica Kersting said she hopes the online registry will push that to 85 percent by January, while Loren Kersting said his goal is for 100 percent.

Below is a short message from the parents of Alexa, Monica and Loren

Please register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor