This morning I received an email from a friend with the subject line: "A heart was found." It contained news we were all hoping for, and friends around the country breathed a sigh of relief.
If the need for an organ or tissue transplant has not touch you, your extended family and friends, it may one day soon.
"Each day, about 77 people receive organ transplants. However, 19 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs," says the federal government page on organ donation.
What's more, each donor can save or greatly improve the life of up to 50 people.
Time for a Talk
Sometime this holiday season, when family and friends are gathered, take a few minutes to have a quick discussion that might change lives.
At the federal government site, you can download a page of eight organ donation cards. If you download and print them now, you'll be prepared when you have the witness you need available to sign yours.
Knowing what you want can also make final decisions less contentious and stressful for your family.
In Massachusetts, you can express your desire to be an organ donor by checking a box on your driver's license application. The page with all the details about this is below. The one important point to remember is that you must check this box each time you renew your license.
Massachusetts drivers can go to this link right now and update their license to become an organ donor.
https://secure.rmv.state.ma.us/OrganDonor/intro.asp
The sites below have answers to many of the questions you may have about organ donation. If you can't find the information you want, ask your question in the comment section of this post and I'll research it and reply.
U.S. Waiting List Candidates By Organ
This chart shows today's U.S. waiting list by organ. It's from:
http://transplantliving.org/beforethetransplant/organfacts/default.aspx
Here is the United State government's site on organ donation
Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
(photo from istockphoto.com)