Ohioans Encouraged to Make a Defining Decision to Donate Life

COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has declared April as Donate Life Ohio Month, coinciding with the observance of National Donate Life Month. It’s a time set aside to reflect on what defines each of us – and as a hero of organ and tissue donation, to focus on the difference one person can make by sharing life. Every donor has the potential to save eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 50 more through tissue and eye donation.

“It is wonderful that we have the entire month of April to celebrate the success of transplantation and to continue raising awareness about the importance of making a defining decision concerning donation and signing up in the Ohio Donor Registry,” said Kent Holloway, Lifeline of Ohio CEO.

By placing their name in the Ohio Donor Registry, Ohioans give their advance directive for donation and ensure that the decision to be a donor will be carried out at the time of their death, if donation is possible.

In 2007, 316 Ohioans shared the Gift of Life through organ donation at the time of their death. Through their unselfish generosity 1,050 people received a second chance for a healthy future.

“I want to extend a personal thank you to the Ohioans who have already made the defining decision to donate life, and registered it,” Holloway said. “Their commitment offers hope to the more than 98,000 Americans – nearly 2,800 Ohioans – currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. And to those waiting to sign up – there is no time better than the present.”

Every day 18 men, women, and children die because a lifesaving organ was not available. Organs that can be donated include heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Tissues include heart valves, bones, tendons, ligaments, veins, skin, and corneas.

Lifeline of Ohio is an independent, non-profit organ procurement organization whose purpose is to promote and coordinate the donation of human organs and tissues for transplantation in 38 counties throughout Central and Southeastern Ohio, as well as Hancock County and Wood County, West Virginia. Lifeline of Ohio provides services to 64 hospitals through its clinical staff that are on call 24 hours a day to coordinate the recovery and transport of the tissue and organs for transplant. Answers to questions about organ and tissue donation, the donation process and signing up in the Ohio Donor Registry, can be found at www.lifelineofohio.org.

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