Register to become organ, tissue donor
This January, choose a meaningful New Year’s resolution that’s free, simple and won’t easily be broken. Registering as an organ and tissue donor is a resolution that has the potential to save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of more than 75 people. As a bonus, registration only takes 30 seconds to complete online.
“This December, residents throughout the state will begin thinking about the best way to start 2017 off on a positive and productive note,” said Susan Stuart, president and CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery & Education. “We’re confident that registering as an organ and tissue donor represents the perfect solution to this challenge. Not only can those who register claim bragging rights about keeping their resolution, they can also take pride in knowing that they’ve made a selfless decision that benefits the greater good.”
While 90 percent of people in Pennsylvania support organ and tissue donation, only 46 percent of Pennsylvanians are actually registered donors.
More than 8,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant in Pennsylvania. On average, someone dies every 18 hours waiting for a second chance at life.
Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be an organ and tissue donor; there is no cost to donors or their families. All major religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation, and consider it a final act of love and generosity toward others.
Registering as an organ and tissue donor only takes 30 seconds and can be done at DonateLifePA.org/registration.