Donate Life - Giving the Gift of Life Through Organ Donation

April is National Donate Life Month, a time when we recognize the importance of organ donation. Organ, eye and tissue donation is a selfless act where you literally give of yourself for the sake of another. It costs you and your family nothing, and in return, a recipient is given a new chance at life.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. Here in Missouri, there are more than a thousand people currently waiting for an organ transplant. You can do your part to help those people by simply deciding whether or not to be an organ donor, and then completing a few, simple steps.

Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be a donor. It comes at no cost to the donor and their family. It also has no effect on the type of treatment your doctors will give you. Organ donation is handled by a completely separate medical team. After death, an authorized hospital official accesses the organ donor registry to determine if that person had consented to organ and tissue donation. If not, the family is approached by a representative of the local organ procurement organization to inquire about possible organ donation.

A single organ donation can save up to eight lives, an amazing statistic that speaks to the importance of becoming a donor. In Missouri, the number of people willing to donate has steadily risen, with nearly three million people currently on the organ donation registry.

Becoming a donor is easy. The back of every Missouri driver's license gives you the opportunity to become an organ donor with a simple check of a box and signature. Make sure you do this with a permanent marker. After that, register on the Missouri Donor Registry by visiting www.missouriorgandonor.com. You will also be asked your organ donor status when you renew your license, giving citizens the option of automatically signing up for the registry. Once you become a donor, share the news with your friends and family. Let them know about your decision and how much of a difference it can make in the lives of others.

National Donate Life Month is intended to celebrate the generous efforts of citizens who have donated organs, tissue and blood. It is also an opportunity to encourage others to consider giving such a gift to those in need. No one wants their family to go through tragedy, but those times have the potential to become something else--a chance to help another, a chance to give the gift of life.

For more information on becoming an organ donor, visit the Missouri Organ Donor Registry at www.missouriorgandonor.com or call 888-497-4564.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or e-mail me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.