Letter: Consider becoming an organ donor

Thousands of Americans are in desperate need of organs and tissue for transplantation. For them, hope for a renewed life will not come unless more people commit to organ and tissue donation.

Last year, more than 28,000 Americans received organ transplants thanks to the generosity of individuals who, at a time of personal grief, thought of others and shared the Gift of Life. Unfortunately, the growth in the number of people waiting for transplants is far greater than the number of donors. There are currently over 112,000 people waiting for transplants in this country, which includes more than 3,000 people in the upper Midwest. There are also thousands of people in need of a tissue transplant.

Each day, 18 people die unnecessarily because the organ they needed was not available, according to organdonor.gov. Every 12 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list. One person can save and heal up to 60 lives through organ and tissue donation. Donor families often say donation is the one positive thing that came from a terrible tragedy.

The solution to this crisis is a stronger commitment to donation. April is national Donate Life month and we ask that you please mark “yes” when you apply for your driver’s license that you wish to be a donor. Or, you can go online to donatelifemidwest.org/sd and fill out the form there. Please share your decision to donate with your family. More information about organ and tissue donation can be found at life-source.org.

Jeff Carlson

President, Aberdeen Area Gift of Life Transplant Group