Becoming an organ donor is as simple as a checkbox on your driver’s license application and yet, only half of the U.S. population are registered as organ donors.  If you’re on the fence, here are some things to consider. 

1. There are over 113,000 men, women, and children on the national transplant waiting list, and ever 10 minutes, another person is added. Receiving an organ transplant may be the difference of life and death for these individuals.  Around 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ match.
2. One donor can save as many as 8 lives, but unfortunately, only 3 in 1,000 people die in way that would allow for organ donation, so we need as many potential donors as possible!
3. You can become a donor at any age. Transplant surgeons evaluate organs on a case-by-case basis so if you think you’re too young to be a donor, you’re not!
4. There are very few medical conditions that would prevent you from being a suitable donor. A disease in one organ does not prevent the use of other healthy organs for transplant.
5. Finally, most religions stand behind organ transplant, many believing that it is final act of selflessness towards others. If you are unsure of the stance of your religion, visit: https://www.organdonor.gov/about/donors/religion.html

If you are not a registered organ donor and would like to register in the state of Texas, visit: https://www.donatelifetexas.org/register-today/