109,299 Reasons to Be a Donor
Every now and then I try to step outside of my day-to-day duties as a communications team member at Lifeline of Ohio to attend health fairs with our volunteers. It’s a great way to connect directly with the community we serve and hear what people have to say about donation.
I’ve recently encountered many people at these events who are not registered organ and tissue donors because they “haven’t really thought about it.”
I understand that we often don’t think about topics like organ donation until they directly impact us, but I want to share the reasons why we should all make the time to consider donation – all 109,299 of them.
Yes, 109,299: the number of people on the national transplant waiting list right now. That number will grow by the time you read this as another name is added to the list every 10 minutes.
These transplant candidates are mothers, daughters, husbands, sons, brothers, friends and co-workers. They are people who know the chance to continue living depends on the generosity of a complete stranger and, sadly, many of those on the waiting list will not receive a second chance at life. Because of the lack of donors, 18 people in the U.S. die every day before a transplant becomes available.
Each person on the national transplant waiting list is a reason to consider organ and tissue donation. They’re counting on you to learn the truth about donation, sign up in the Ohio Donor Registry and share that decision with your loved ones.
I encourage you to click here to see how you can make an impact and to register as an organ and tissue donor. Please take the time to think about donation and give hope to the 109,299 people in the U.S. who are waiting for the “Gift of Life.”
- Rachel Lewis, media relations/community outreach coordinator
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