National Donate Life Month to celebrate, honor and recognize organ and tissue donors and recipients
Everything is bigger in Texas: especially the need to save lives
DALLAS, April 1, 2019 – National Donate Life month kicks off today to promote organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. With more than 110,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a lifesaving organ – more than 10,000 in Texas alone – this national observance is especially important for Texans.
Southwest Transplant Alliance, the Dallas-based organ procurement organization, is raising awareness throughout the month and driving the community to say “yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation. Special events and programs will aim to share the importance of registering your decision to be a donor, honoring deceased and living donors, and celebrating the lifesaving and healing gift of transplantation.
“Southwest Transplant Alliance has been educating the community about donation and working with donor families and transplant recipients for more than 40 years,” said Patti Niles, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Transplant Alliance. “We work with hundreds of hospitals throughout Texas to respond to referrals for possible organ donors and then educate families about how individuals can save lives through organ and tissue donation.”
Along with campaigns and events to encourage people to register to be organ, eye and tissue donors, National Donate Life Month includes additional featured observances:
• National Donate Life Blue & Green Day – April 12, 2019
• National Pediatric Transplant Week – April 22-26, 2019
Why does donating life matter?
• More than 10,000 Texans are waiting for a lifesaving transplant (more than 110,000 in the U.S.).
• On average, 20 people in the U.S. die every day awaiting a lifesaving organ.
• One person’s decision to donate can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and can affect up to 75 lives through tissue donation.
Donate Life America is the sponsoring national organization for National Donate Life Month, supported by state and local partners who join together to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissue available to save and heal lives.