5 Million Strong!

I recently learned that 5 million Ohioans have registered as organ and tissue donors. 5 million! This is the highest number of registered donors since the inception of the Ohio Donor Registry in 2002. And, it’s cause to celebrate.

5 million registered organ and tissue donors is huge. I just want to take a moment to put that into perspective:

• There are more registered donors in Ohio than there are citizens in the country of Norway.
• It would take 50 football stadiums to hold all of the registered organ and tissue donors in the state of Ohio.
• If every donor in Ohio stood side-by-side, we could stretch from the state capital all the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico!

Thank you to everyone who has said “yes” to organ and tissue donation. You have helped us reach this incredible milestone, and your commitment to give life after death gives hope to the 3,300 Ohioans waiting for a second chance at life.

While so many people have joined the cause, an Ohioan still dies every other day when a transplant doesn’t come in time. That’s because only about 54 percent of eligible state I.D. and license holders have signed up in the Ohio Donor Registry.
For those who have not signed up yet, I hope you will be motivated by your fellow Ohioans to give the “Gift of Life.” Just one donor can save eight lives through organ donation and enhance up to 50 lives through tissue donation.

There are many reasons why people are hesitant to register. The most common fear is that doctors will “let someone go” if they’re a registered donor. I can assure you that your medical care will never be compromised because of your status as a donor. Doctors are only interested in saving your life, and donation is considered only after every effort to save a life has failed. Hospitals do not have access to the Ohio Donor Registry.

If you’re concerned that donation will affect funeral plans, you can rest assured that an open-casket funeral is still possible after donation. There is no cost to donate, and anyone of any age or medical history has the potential to be a donor.

Be a part of the movement to save lives in Ohio and sign up today as an organ and tissue donor! To register right now, click here. 

- Rachel Lewis, media relations/community outreach coordinator

By admin on 5/10/11, In News, Tags 5 million ohioans are organ donors, 5 million organ donors, Donate Life Ohio, lifeline of ohio, ohio donor registry, organ donation ohio