gift life
It’s the time of year for reflection and once again I urge you to be an organ donor. As I pleaded last year, please consider the ultimate gift, life.
Please be an organ donor. Did you know that this gift can save eight lives (through the gift of a heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines)? Further, a tissue donor can save even more lives, by restoring eyesight (gift of corneas), and “helping fight infections in burn patients and preventing the loss of mobility and disability” (gift of bone, skin, heart valves, tendons, veins, etc.). Learn more about organ donation at the NYS Department of Health Organ and Tissue Donations page.
Why aren’t you a donor? Please. Sign up (information for NYS) and let your wishes be known. Yes, in New York State a new law was passed in 2006 (please see this pdf ยง 4310. New York State donate life registry for organ and tissue donations.) that became the Donate Life Registry. This registry means that your family doesn’t have to agree, but if they know, they can tell doctors and help you give the ultimate gift.
A kidney I crocheted as a gift for a kidney donor.
More ways to give life
- Be a blood donor.
- Are you on the bone marrow registry?
- Register to be a kidney donor.
If you can be an advocate and help others learn, that is also a gift of life. I am not able to donate blood, but I try to share announcement of drives so others can.
And finally, please if you are able, get your flu shot! Not everyone can and you can help protect others.