Our views: A gold medal for donation

Advocate Opinion page staff

When Louisiana lands near the top of a list among those states doing something good, residents should take note. That’s why we’re heartened by the news that Louisiana was among six states receiving a gold medal award for promoting organ, eye and tissue donation.

Louisiana received a gold medal in addition to California, Ohio, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The gold medal designation comes from Donate Life America, a national nonprofit organization promoting organ donation across the country. The award recognizes states that are leading the way in enlisting their residents as organ donors.

More than 1.8 million Louisiana residents have registered as organ donors. By joining the registry, an individual gives legal consent for the use of organs, tissues and eyes for transplantation or research at the time of death.

To sign up for the registry, visit http://www.DonateLifeLa.org. In doing so, registrants can give the gift of life, which remains, in this season of holiday giving, the greatest gift of all.