Donate Life Month

During donate life month we look to raise awareness around donations that have the ability to save lives.

From blood and organ to tissue donors, this month is about encouraging people to donate if they’re willing to. And honoring those that have donated in the past, saving lives in the process.

‍Donate life states that over 100,000 people in America are on the waitlist for potentially life-saving transplants. Roughly 85% are waiting for a kidney.

But the reality is that many never receive them. In 2020 alone, it’s estimated that 6000 people passed away while on the waitlist.

That’s why it’s important to realize that we can all make a difference.

‍According to the HRSA,

“Every donor can save 8 lives and enhance 75 more.”

We each have the ability to make a positive impact. Whether through spreading awareness, honoring those who have donated in the past, or becoming a donor.

Spreading awareness

There are many forms of donation that can make an impact.

These include: ‍

Organ donations
Tissue donations
Blood donations
Eye donations
Marrow donations

People of all ages have the potential to be a donor, and there are some donations you can make while you’re still living.

A system matches donors and people on the waitlist based on:

Donor distance
Tissue type
Body size
Blood type
How sick they are

The most common donated organs include the lungs, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, and intestines. While the most common donated tissues are heart valves, corneas, blood vessels, skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Approximately 8,000 people donate their organs every year - donating an average of 3.5 organs each. And it’s estimated that people who donate when they're alive provide 6000 organs every year.

But Over 100,000 people are on the waitlist for organ donations.

And only approximately 14,000 people are donating every year.

This highlights the importance of Donate Life Month.

‍But, donating organs or tissue isn’t the only way that we can help.

You can also help by donating blood. It’s estimated that more than 4 million Americans need blood transfusions every year, and according to the Red Cross,

“Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood and or platelets.”

A single donation can help save more than one life.

The good news is Americans are already showing up and contributing in a way that makes a big impact. In fact, the Red Cross reports that in the U.S, roughly 6.8 million people donate blood every year.

Celebrations

Donate Life Month focuses on raising awareness for people in need and recognizing and honoring those who’ve donated in the past.

There are also dates set aside within April to focus on certain aspects of donation.

‍Donate life living donor day (April 6) - celebrates and honors the people who’ve donated organs, tissues, and more - thanking them for their generosity.

National donate life blue and green day (April 22, 2022) - encourages us to spread the message of donate life and stresses the importance of signing up as a donor. We’re also encouraged to wear the colors blue and green to spread awareness.
National pediatric transplant week (April 24-30, 2022) - is dedicated to and focused on the conversation about ending the waiting list for pediatric transplants.‍

How to take part

How can we take part and help spread awareness during Donate Life Month, while also honoring those who’ve donated in the past?

There are many ways we can make a difference and participate.

One of the most impactful is to sign up as an organ donor.

You can learn more about how it works and register as a donor by visiting the National Donate Life website here.

But there are other forms of donation that make an impact as well - such as giving blood.

Another way we can take part is by spreading the word and creating awareness.

People might be unaware of how significant this month is. They might not even realize how much of a demand there is for donors.

With the right information, the conversation can spread - creating an awareness around this topic that is much needed!