For me it was something I didn’t give much thought to. I simply checked the “yes, I want to be an organ donor” box on my driver’s license renewal because it seemed the right thing to do. When they turned 16, I urged my kids to do the same thing.
Then I interviewed several transplant recipients and donors and my eyes were opened. An organ donor really does give the gift of life both to the recipient and to that recipient’s family. Those who receive an organ are among the most thankful people I’ve ever met. They do not take that gift lightly and often celebrate the anniversary of their “new life.”
The Transplant Games – similar to an Olympic competition but with transplant recipients, donors, and families – provide a time of group celebration, sharing, and bonding. They will be held this month in Madison, Wisconsin.
Last May I sat with two families in a hospital waiting room. Two sets of parents – one whose daughter was donating her kidney; one whose daughter was receiving that donation. I offered support as the two families laughed, prayed, talked quietly, and waited for the outcome. Both girls made it through successfully and recently celebrated the life-giving anniversary. Giving that gift of life is truly an unselfish decision; receiving it is receiving the gift of a lifetime.
I urge you to get an organ donor card. Go to www.organdonor.gov.
Over half of the 109,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 9,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage — give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren’t willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at http://www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has 14,000 members, including members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.