Organ & Tissue Donation

On their website dedicated to organ and tissue donation, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services shares, "Each day, about 79 people receive organ transplants. However, 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs."

Fortunately, you can do something to positively change those numbers simply by electing to become an organ and tissue donor. The website also declares that 100 million people in the United States have signed up to be a donor but with a population of more than 317 million people, that's less than 1/3 involved in organ and tissue donation.

What's stopping others from getting involved? Age is one reason -  children under the age of 18 cannot become a donor without permission from the parent or guardian. Also, there's a lot of confusion around the subject of organ and tissue donation.

How to Become an Organ Donor

There's nothing difficult about becoming an organ and tissue donor. You can register online with the Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. It only takes about five minutes to complete your online registration. Other ways you can declare your intention to become an organ donor include:

• Informing your family about your decision to become an organ and tissue donor
• Including your intention to donate your organs in your advance care directive

Organ Donation is Compassion in Action

The legendary Albert Schweitzer said, "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." By becoming an organ and tissue donor, you will be following in the footsteps of over 100 million people, all of whom have realized the quiet joy within this generous action. If you'd like to learn more about how organ and tissue donation impacts future funeral arrangement decisions, call our office at (706) 546-1587.

Sources:
Schlesinger, Robert, "The 2014 U.S. and World Populations", USNews, December 31, 2013.