The "CIA Factbook," states that there are approximately 6,744 deaths in the United States each day. According to OrganDonor.com 19 of the 6,744 people that die die while waiting on an organ transplant list. That’s 19 people a day that don’t have to die. 19 people that are somebody’s son or daughter, brother or sister, mother or father. If those 19 people were to receive an organ transplant and survive, that would be 6,935 people a year that wouldn’t have to die an unnecessary death.
I can make a difference. I’m an organ donor, and if I were to die today my body could save the lives of 8 people, and enhance the lives of fifty others! I believe that being an organ donor is something that everybody can and should be a part of. And it’s as easy as signing the back of your license.
I’m very hopeful that today all of you will take something from this that will stick with you the rest of your lives. I’d like to discuss with you the difference of “live” and “after life” donations, the benefits of donating different organs, and how organ donation has specifically enhanced the lives of others.
The first live organ donation dates back to 1954 when a kidney transplant was done between twins. According to Transplant living.com the number of living donors today is more the 6,000 a year, and one in four of these donors isn’t biologically related to the recipient. Live donation isn’t as simple as signing something, it has to be voluntary and done after careful consideration.
The most common type of living donations is related. This includes brothers and sisters, children, parents or other blood relatives over the age of 18. Non-related is the second most common. This can be done for your spouse, friends, neighbors or other acquaintances. Non-directed donors are living donors who do not even know the recipient receiving their organs. This donation is truly done out of selflessness. Individuals who are interested in this type of live organ donation should contact organ...