.background

Today, while at a convention in Atlantic City... I was so inspired when I noticed a new vendor table ... "Donate Life" A relatively new "not-for-profit" organization who's goal is to bring awareness to the vast majority who are not registered donors.
Did you know that:

• Nearly 93,000 men, women and children are currently waiting for life-saving transplants
• Every 12 minutes another name is added to the National Transplant Waiting List
• An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplants
• 90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to be a donor through registering to be donors through their state registry or motor vehicle department (DMV).
  I didn't!
  Kidneys are the most common organ donated by living donors. Other organs that can be donated include a lobe of a lung, partial liver, pancreas or intestine. Donated tissues such as skin, bone and heart valves can dramatically improve the quality of life for recipients, and even save lives.
  So, finding a cause that "grabbed me" I spent a significant amount of time learning about "Donate Life" and what we need to do to spread awareness. I remember standing with my son when he was getting his licence at the DMV and he was totally not aware of the choice he had about being an organ donor... if I was not with him I sense he may not have registered to be an organ donor.... he, like most 17 year olds do not understand the significance and what an important decision this is.... I sense it's never been discussed and they are not aware (getting OUT of the DMV with their licence in hand is all they are focusing on.... remember being 17)???
  Apparently "Donate Life" is now making visits to high schools to bring awareness to students so they are prepared and know what an impact they can make by thinking of this choice of being a donor before they are in the DMV.

If you are interested in learning more about "Donate Life" please visit their website at: http://www.donatelife.net/ where you can also register through your state to be a donor! I'll be proudly wearing this lapel pin and a new bright lime green wrist band...