April 30, 2004

Give the gift of life: April is organ donation month

Approximately 17 people die each day awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. They are among the 83,000 people nationwide who are on the national transplant waiting list.

During the month of April, hospitals such as the MGH and communities across the nation are observing National Donate Life Month to raise awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donation. Originally known as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, the observance grew from small, local awareness efforts into a national recognition of the altruism of organ and tissue donations. It became a vehicle to inform people of the continuing shortage of organs and tissue available for transplant.

According to the New England Organ Bank (NEOB), 2003 was a very good year, with 649 recovered organs resulting in transplants, but the need for donors still is critical.

For more information about organ and tissue donation and how to obtain a donor card, contact the New England Organ Bank at (800) 446-6362 or visit www.neob.org.