Arciero encourages people to register on-line at the RMV website and become an organ and tissue donor.
The following was submitted by James Arciero's Office.
State Representative James Arciero (D-Westford) celebrated April as Donate Life Month at Massachusetts State House with kidney recipient and Chelmsford resident Jeff Lee. In 2009, Jeff was the recipient of a donated kidney from his wife, Lucy Maiullari.
“I am pleased to celebrate Donate Life Month with Jeff; a wonderful example of the life saving power of organ donation,” Representative Arciero said. “I encourage everyone to become a donor by going to the Registry of Motor Vehicles website and signing up. Registrar Kaprielian has done a wonderful job of providing such a simple way to make such a postivie difference.”
“Organ donation saved my life,” Jeff Lee said. “I am thankful everyday to my wife for generously donating her kidney to me.”
“I was so happy to hear the news from the doctor that I was a match for my husband,” said Lucy Maiullari. “We were lucky and know that most transplants do not come from living donors. I encourage everyone I meet to register to be a donor.”
Licensed driver’s interested in becoming a donor may sign up anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on the RMV webpage at www.RMV.gov. Massachusetts residents over the age of 18 who do not have a driver’s license or ID card can also register on-line atwww.donatelifenewengland.org.
Governor Deval Patrick has issued a proclamation stating that April is Donate Life Month in Massachusetts. As Massachusetts is home to the pioneering efforts of many of the world's first organ transplant surgeons, the Governor has proclaimed that it is fitting that Massachusetts continue its unique leadership role and join in the national goal of signing up 50% of Massachusetts’ driving population to become donors through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Registered donors are making a tremendous impact in Massachusetts. Last year the lives of over240 New Englanders were saved because individuals registered as organ donors on their state driver’s license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. In addition, the lives of 25,000 in this region were enhanced by tissue donations from registered tissue donors. Currently, over 110,000 Americans await a life saving organ transplant that may not come in time. In Massachusetts alone, there are over 2,900 on the waiting list.
Donate Life Month is a national opportunity to continue education efforts to raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue transplants, to celebrate the lives saved through donation and to honor the donors who made the ultimate gift.
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