Supporting donation isn’t just about checking a box or answering a question once every few years when you get your driver license. Of course, we encourage you to say Yes in that very specific moment, but organ, eye and tissue donation is about so much more than just that.
Organ, eye and tissue donation is everything from messages of hope on social media, to the memories of a donor family every year they honor their loved one’s donation legacy. It even includes the sometimes hard conversations over coffee between family members about their donation decision.
We all experience loss and illness from time to time and supporting donation is knowing you are helping a ray of light shine bright on those dark days.
A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way as an Organ Donor
There are many research studies out there that show how giving and participating in a cause greater than ourselves makes us happier, evokes gratitude, promotes social connection and decreases stress levels. A simple act of kindness towards another not only benefits the receiver, but the giver as well.
This effect is the same when it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation. Giving the gift of life can save up to eight others through organ donation and save and heal more than 75 others through tissue donation. Knowing that your decision can positively impact others and give them a second chance at life is kindness amplified!
Why Your Neighbors Say Yes to Donation
April is National Donate Life Month recognized and celebrated around the nation. This month, we celebrate the gift of life and the reasons why our communities say Yes to organ, eye and tissue donation.
In this tech-savy, modern world, the selfie can be many things. For Donate Life Month, it can give hope to the 2,000 people in our region waiting for a lifesaving transplant. We gathered a few of your neighbor’s selfies and the reasons why they say Yes to organ, eye and tissue donation below.
Donny – I can’t imagine a more tragic waste than to not literally gift life itself when I’ve already passed on anyway.
Jaime, cornea recipient – I signed up as an organ, eye, and tissue donor because as the recipient of a corneal transplant, I understand just how impactful organ, eye, and tissue donation can be in saving and improving lives.
Jamie & Anna – Life is too precious not to share!
Lindsey – I signed up as an organ, eye, and tissue donor so more people can have moments like this. My dad received a lung from a selfless donor in 2017. Because of that, he was able to walk me down the aisle at my wedding in 2019, got to meet his 5th grandchild, and has so many more memories that we’ll cherish forever.
LOGAN lost his life 2016…..and he was a donor….he’s our cowboy hero
Sara – I signed up to be an organ, tissue and eye donor because my 13 year old daughter Kaitlyn died last year and she has saved 75 lives so far. She is my hero! 💙💚
Say Yes and #ShowYourHeart for Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation
When someone becomes an organ, eye and tissue donor, they don’t only help the immediate recipient of their gifts of life. Their gifts spur a ripple effect touching the recipient’s friends, family and communities. Even the donor’s own friends and family are touched by the ripple effect of their donation legacy.
In this way, if just one person can show their heart and inspire another to sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor, hundreds of people could be saved and healed through an organ, eye or tissue transplant! Spreading awareness helps save lives – the lives of our neighbors, friends and loved ones.
Whatever your reason for supporting organ, eye and tissue donation, whatever it means to you and yours, this April, we encourage you to spread the word about donation! Upload your photo and then share your decision on your social media, hoping to inspire that one person who hasn’t decided yet, to join you and say Yes to saving lives. Be a registered organ, eye and tissue donor and start your own ripple effect!