February 14th is celebrated as Donor Day. This day commemorates all organ, tissue, and eye donors in their generous gift or gifts and helps to raise awareness about the importance organ donors have in many people’s lives. Despite there being 95% of Americans who support being a donor, only 58% are actually registered as a donor. Donate Life America wants to help bridge this gap by encouraging awareness and by answering several frequently asked questions that may be hindering people from becoming donors.
Donation Statistics
The Donate Life website offers many statistics regarding the need for donors and the aid donors have given to adults, children, and families.
Statistics about the necessity for donors:
- 114,000 men, women, and children are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants.
- 144 people are added to the National Transplant waiting list every day.
- 22 people die each day because an organ is not donated in time.
Statistics about how others have helped in the past:
- 17,500 donors brought new life to recipients and their families in 2018.
- 750,000 transplants have taken place since 1988
Even with these numbers, the amount of donors is still not enough. Donate Life stresses the importance of donors and provides an easy and convenient way to register today. Click here to visit their website and sign up today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about donating, here are some answers that may help you understand the process more:
- Who can be a donor? Anyone can become a donor. In the end, it depends on the condition and time of your death to know which organs or tissues will be donated.
- Does my religion support this? All major religions believe that donation is a final act of compassion and generosity.
- Does my social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ if I ever need one? No. Race, income, gender, celebrity, and social status never play into the system of matching organs with patients.
- Why is it important for people of every community to donate? Transplant success is greatly improved when it takes place between two people of the same racial or ethnic groups.
Source:
Donate Life America. (2018). Retrieved from: https://www.donatelife.net/.