If you could save a life, would you? You can. Just sign up to become an organ donor. You could save up to 8 lives or help those who need tissue to recover from burns and other wounds. Or to regain vision or hearing.
Your gift is sorely needed. Every day about 79 people receive organ transplants. But 18 people die waiting for transplants. There are currently more than 100,000 people on waiting lists for kidney, heart, liver, lung and other organs. Some are waiting for tissue such as skin, vein, heart valve, cornea, or middle ear.
Don’t rule yourself out. There are very few fixed limits on who can donate. Age doesn’t matter. There are, however, some medical problems that might exclude you such as HIV or a spreading brain cancer. But most people can donate.
So, go ahead and sign up online at www.organdonor.gov. Click on “Sign Up to Be a Donor.” Also, to cover all bases, it’s best to show your choice on your driver’s license, tell your doctor, family & friends, and include organ donor donation in your will and advance directives. Make plans now to give the greatest gift of all.