Editorials, Opinion Unless it directly impacts a person’s life, organ donation isn’t something most people think about on a daily basis.
Some took advantage of the opportunity to become organ donors when they had the option to check that box when getting a driver’s licence at age 16 or 17. But, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are many people out there who haven’t done the same.
For those who haven’t and need a little encouragement, take a look at these facts. According to the HRSA, there are 114,646 people waiting for an organ each day. Although an average of 79 people receive transplants daily, in that same time period 18 people will die waiting for an organ. Just one organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives. Advanced age or existing health conditions do not necessarily eliminate the chance that someone could be an organ or tissue donor.
Need more convincing?
For the true story of a man who reaped the benefits of organ donation, read the article on page A1 of today’s Post-Record. It profiles Mark Damon, 25, who was diagnosed six years ago with a rare bile duct disease. In June, he received a liver transplant.
Damon has been on the organ donor list since the age of 16, and summed up his reason for doing so best when he said: “I’m not going to need any of this when I go.”
