Give the Gift of Life: Become a Donor!

I had the chance to visit with one of my best friend's last weekend.  She has a 3 year old little boy whom I just adore.  When he was born, shortly after his birth the doctors discovered that one of his eyes wasn't functioning properly.  After some testing and a lot of probing it was revealed that he needed a cornea transplant.

My friend's son was fortunate to have a wonderful doctor.  He was blessed to have the cornea transplant.  Today he is a vivacious, energetic little boy, who despite the odds was blessed and given the gift of a cornea by a donor. 

I personally know of 3 very significant people, who have life altering testimonies regarding their failing health and the impact that having a donor has made:  My friend's son,  my client; who was on the list to receive a heart, and a close family acquaintance; who thankfully was blessed to receive a kidney transplant.  I can personally attest to the difference that is made as a result of the giving hearts of organ donors.  Kudos to all the organ donors out there!!  If you aren't an organ donor here's a few more reasons why you may want to re-consider:

Facts About Donation

1. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives. The same donor can also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and corneas.
2. More than 110,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants. [Solid Organs: Hearts, kidneys, pancreases, lungs, livers and intestines]. Of these, nearly 8,000 live right here, in the greater New York metropolitan area.
3. On average, 18 people die every day while waiting for organ transplants in the U.S., and every 11 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list.
4. The success rate for organ transplants is between 80 and 90 percent.
5. Each year, more than one million people need lifesaving and life-improving tissues, and corneas. [Tissues: Heart valves, cardiovascular tissue, bone and soft musculoskeletal tissue, and skin.]
6. Anytime you are in a hospital, doctors will do all they can to save your life. Donation only occurs after the death of a patient is declared by physicians who are legally not affiliated with donation.
7. The factors that determine who receives an organ include severity of illness, time spent on the waiting list, and blood type. Financial or celebrity status has no bearing on determining who receives a transplant.
8. Donation takes place under the same sterile conditions as any medical procedure. A donor’s body is never disfigured and donation does not interfere with funeral arrangements. Open casket services are possible.
9. If you’re a donor, your family does not pay any bills related to donation.
10. All major religions support donation.
11. It is illegal to buy and sell organs in the U.S. The system for matching donor organs and potential recipients is regulated by the Federal Government.

KEEP LIFE GOING!

Learn how to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor today!

Source: http://www.donatelifeny.org/