National Donate Life Month

In the United States, more than 100,000 adults and children await an organ transplant—more than 4,000 in Illinois alone. April is National Donate Life Month, and Memorial Health’s surgical services team shares these steps to significantly impact the lives of others.

Donate blood. Donating blood is among the most well-known, life-saving acts that can make a positive difference in another person’s health. Memorial Health partners with Impact Life to encourage and support blood donations. Consider providing the important gift of a pint of blood. In one year, one person can donate enough blood to impact the lives of 18 people.

Register to be an organ, eye or tissue donor. Your decision to be an organ, eye and/or tissue donor can save the lives of up to nine people and enhance the lives of hundreds more. You can register through Gift of Hope or the  National Donate Life Registry. Or you can also register your decision to be an organ and tissue donor through the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, managed by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

Raise awareness about the need for organ and tissue donors. Understand donation and help dispel common myths about organ donation.

Myths:

• There is not an age cutoff for donating organs.
• Your family won’t be charged if you donate an organ.
• Wealthy or famous people do not move to the top of the donor recipient list.

Raising awareness and encouraging those who can donate to do so could save many lives. Tell those you love that you want to donate your organs and encourage them to do the same. Your choice could mean life for someone else.