There is no gift greater than the "Gift of Life". If you are not an organ donor, please consider the greatness of that gift you and your family can give.
Over 800,000 lives are saved and/or improved each year in the United states. There are eight organs that can be transplanted and up to 50 tissue grafts.
In 2008, 96 patients died in Tennessee awaiting transplants. 6,229 died in the U.S.
Presently, there are over 83,000 patients awaiting kidney transplants. A few months ago, 13 kidney transplants were successfully performed at one hospital among strangers that had the right match by a network organization that is matching donors to the patients awaiting that right match.
If you or someone you know would like to become a donor, please call the Tennessee Donor Services at 763-4077 or visit their website at www.donatelifetn.org.
Bill Watkins
Ooltewah
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I have never understood why anyone would not want to donate their organs to either save someone else's life or make their life better. I can't think of a better way to turn tragedy into hope.
Ask yourself this: If I needed a donated organ, would I accept it? If the answer is yes, then why would you not be a donor yourself?
Personally, I feel that if a person is not signed up to be an organ donor, then they should not be able to receive a donated organ.
Both my cousin and my best friend are alive today because of organ donation.
Give the gift of life.
Ronnie "Rock" Land
rock@roadrashmag.com
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April is Organ Donation Awareness month. Please join me and others for “Hands across America” this coming Sunday, April 18 at 2:30 for organ donation awareness. Please also go to DonateLife.net, choose your state, and register to become an organ donor.
You may also want to consider becoming a living donor. There are many people in the area that have had the unique experience of living organ donation to help another person live a longer and fuller life. Please start with looking at the National Kidney Foundation website at kidney.org . There is an FAQ section on living organ donation. Or, just go to DonateLife.net and see all the links to information on organ donation.
There are many ways to help – actual living donation, registration with your state for donation upon death, and volunteering at the many organ donation awareness events.
Anything you can do will help others. Thanks for your support.
Laura McEvoy
claygray@comcast.net