Give Hope, Share Life -
Joining the organ, eye and tissue donor registry is a profound gesture that has the power to save as many as eight lives through the recovery of organs, eyes and tissues. Amazingly, just one tissue donor can enhance 100 or more lives. Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the list of those waiting for lifesaving transplants, and an average of 17 people die every day waiting. In the Missouri and Kansas region alone, there are currently more than 2,500 people waiting for a donor.
When someone you love passes away, the grief is everlasting. Jamil Hendricks was working as a hospital chaplain when his sister Jeannette tragically died, bringing the work he does to counsel patients sharply into focus. As a cornea recipient herself, Jeannette’s journey with donation and transplantation came full circle when she donated her organs to save two lives and tissues to help many others.
Nationally, over 100,000 people and their loved ones are desperately waiting for a phone call that will determine the rest of their lives. These individuals are waiting for an organ transplant that would give them the gift of life.
"Whenever I think about my sister's donation, I think about new life. That’s what comes to mind with how many families we were able to keep together through the selfless act of donation."
Jamil Hendricks
The process through which someone in need receives a donated organ is complex, requiring the cooperation of dedicated professionals working together to provide new hope for potential recipients. When a potential organ donor is brought into a hospital, often after a tragic and catastrophic injury, doctors will attempt all means possible to save their life. A donor’s status will never affect the medical care they receive at the hospital, and donation is not even considered until after a patient has been declared medically deceased. The hospital will then reach out to their local organ procurement organization (OPO), which serves as the transplant team for patients who become organ, eye and/or tissue donors.
The OPO becomes a critical resource for grieving families as they begin to process their pain and determine how they want to proceed. OPO staff members treat bereaved family members with the utmost respect and care as they navigate this incredibly distressing time. Even if the patient is not in the organ, eye and tissue donor registry, their family may decide to donate their organs. OPO staff members notify families that there is absolutely no cost to them for donation, and an open casket funeral is still possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Most major religions encourage organ donation as an final act of love and generosity. In fact, this courageous decision could mean the difference between life and death for recipients waiting for a vital organ.
Once a patient has been confirmed to donate organs, eyes and/or tissues by their donor registry status or their family, the OPO goes to work matching the organ with the appropriate critically ill patient based on a number of clinical factors. Once they have received a match, the organ is respectfully recovered and quickly transferred to the patient in need, who will receive a brand new lease on life with this transformative donation.
Create your eternal legacy and register to become an organ donor
When 15-year-old Rocky Delfs died unexpectedly from an undetected congenital heart defect, there was no question that he would become a donor. His donation helped save the lives of five people, including a 16-year-old recipient in need of new lungs. Additionally, Rocky’s sacrifice saved the life of his twin brother, who suffered from the same undiagnosed heart defect.
Rocky's Story
“It gives us a lot more comfort to know that there are five people
alive because of him,” said Rocky’s father, Bill.
Seven-year-old Jenna Mihalevich’s life had been severely compromised since birth when she was born three months premature with a life-threatening gastrointestinal issue. Her young life included countless hospital stays, surgeries and feeding tubes. “The day we got the call about her transplant, Jenna and I were playing basketball in the driveway,” says Jenna’s dad, Troy. “She felt fine, she seemed fine, but she wasn’t. She was sick. Her liver was failing, and her bowels were essentially gone."
The organ transplant that Jenna received that day saved her life and has allowed her to flourish for the last 22 years.
For the recipients of donated organs, the gratitude that comes with the opportunity for a longer and more fulfilling life is abundant.
"I try every day to honor my donor. I wake up everyday thankful."
Jenna, organ recipient
Anyone can join the organ, eye and tissue donor registry if they wish, regardless of age and medical history. You may even consider becoming a living donor by donating a kidney or lung, or a part of the liver, intestine or pancreas.
Joining the organ, eye and tissue donor registry is a simple act of love, and it can easily be done at your local DMV or via the iPhone Health app. Missouri and Kansas residents can also register below.
Register Now
Give hope and share life today by joining the donor registry.
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register to become an organ donor today.
