NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH-MAINE-APRIL DECLARED DONATE LIFE MONTH IN MAINE

Source: WMTW, Channel 8, Maine

Donor Recipients, Family Members On Hand At Event

AUGUSTA, Maine --

Diana Scannell

The gift of life was on the minds of many in Augusta today.

State Rep. Brian Langley sponsored a press conference to raise awareness of organ, eye and tissue donation.

"Right now, more than 100,000 Americans are awaiting life-saving transplants through the gift of organ donation. Here in Maine, 125 people are awaiting kidney transplants. More than 90 percent of Americans support organ donation, but only 30 percent know the essential steps to take to be a donor. We can reverse this disparity simply by increasing awareness and dispelling myths," said Langley.

On hand for today's event were donor recipients and family members of recipients.

Gov. John Baldacci has already signed a proclamation designating April 2010 as Donate Life Month.