Consider becoming an organ donor during season of giving

Delaware News Journal | Steven A. Rose

The hustle and bustle of the winter holidays is upon us once again. Somewhere between the holiday parties and the shopping we manage to visit old friends, spend time with family, and spread good will and cheer to our neighbors, all before we rein in the New Year. For many families living in Delaware, this holiday season includes another more pressing concern: a loved one is anxiously waiting for an organ transplant.

In Delaware, 600 people are waiting for a life-giving organ transplant and many more are waiting for tissue transplants, yet less than half of the state’s licensed drivers or state identification card holders have registered as donors. The Delaware Healthcare Association along with the Gift of Life Donor Program, Medical Society of Delaware, and Delaware Health and Social Services, are working together to increase Delaware’s organ and tissue donor designation rate through a statewide education and outreach campaign.

Our objective is to increase the number of new organ-donor designees gained during our campaign by 28,000 Delawareans. When achieved, this will mean that 50 percent of state license and identification card holders will be enrolled in one of the most selfless giving programs there is. To date, an additional 10,000 people have been signed up. Those new enrollees now carry the “red heart” on their license indicating their willingness to donate an organ in case of their death. The campaign is making steady progress toward our goal, but we need your help.

I encourage you to pause from the busyness of the season to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor if you are not already one. Registration is easy and it is free. You can visit DonateLife-De.org to register online or visit any one of the State Division of Motor Vehicle’s offices to register in person.

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