Sometimes starting a conversation about serious issues, like your decision to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor can be difficult. While we can’t plan for everything, one thing we can do is set some time to talk about what’s important—in our life and in our death—with those who matter most in our lives.
This National Donor Day, we encourage you to #StarttheConversation about organ, eye and tissue donation with your family. Not sure how to get started? No problem, we have a few suggestion so you can tackle this!
The first thing to know: What does it mean to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor?
Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor means you have made the decision to donate your organs, eyes and tissues at the time of your death. It is important to discuss your heroic decision about donation with your family as your decision will take priority over your family’s preferences.
Why having the conversation about donation is important
Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family during a very difficult time and is a compassionate way to share the love. Discussing donation with loved ones will help them be prepared to support your lifesaving decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Here’s how you can #StartTheConversation this National Donor Day
National Donor Day, celebrated on February 14th, is a great time to #StarttheConversation with your family and celebrate your decision to save and heal lives through donation. Here are a few easy tips to help you get started:
- Start the conversation by showing your loved ones the heart on your ID.
The organ, eye and tissue donation symbol on your ID is a heart with a “Y” inside, a visible display of your decision to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. Talk about what the heart means and how they, too, can earn a heart on their ID by saying Yes to donation when getting their ID or anytime online.
- Share the love and lifesaving impacts of donation and transplantation.
Let your loved ones know that just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 lives through eye and tissue donation. Learn more about the need for donation and how everyone can help. Share stories from your local community or check out our Stories of Hope about local Wyomingites impacted by donation and transplantation.
- Learn the facts of donation and share them with loved ones
Use the resources on our website to learn the facts of donation and then share these facts with others. These facts may affect your loved ones’ decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can also learn about the process of transplant and our local transplant centers and other resources.
Nearly 2,000 people right here in our region are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and thousands more are in need of healing tissue transplants. Signing up as an organ, eye and tissue donor gives hope to those in your community who are still waiting!
If you’re interested in other ways you can contribute to the conversation and help raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation all year long, please check out our Advocates for Life program.