Pictured above are five Australian organ recipients whose lives were saved four years ago by the same donor, a middle-aged woman who died in an accident.
Joanna Wang, left, and young Judah Flanagan each got part of the donor's liver. Caitlin McKay and Matthew Young, both in the center, both received a kidney. The donor's heart and lungs went to Christine Griffiths, right, who's now "healthier than ever". McKay's kidney has failed. Both she and Flanagan will need future transplants.
My sister has asked me to direct your attention (all four of you, readers!) to Donate Life Texas. Through this site, you can register your intent to be an organ donor and will be sent a card to keep in your wallet in case of your accidental death.
It seems that nearly everyone is willing to donate their organs if you ask them, but few people take the step to make it known. Did you know that doctors will not harvest your organs if they have any opposition from your family? (That's why it is important to keep your family informed of your wishes. While you're at it, encourage them to sign up.)
Every day, 17 people die waiting for an organ transplant! It could be a member of your family.
5 comments:
thanks! you did a good job!!love you amy
Over half of the 99,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 6,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition.
I'm proud of both my girls for promoting this. I'm a registered donor, by the way! Love y'all, mom
Thanks for your information, Dave!
I'm a registered donor also! I'm going to publish this info at work! Love ya, Lisa
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