Donate Life

My best friend, Nicole, passed away unexpectedly over two years ago. Her husband and family donated her organs. Her is part of her Gift of Life Letter...

Nicole

April 12, 2008

Each year the lives of thousands of men, women and children
are saved or greatly improved through the miracle of transplantation.
The true heroes behind this miracle are the donors who gave the Gift of Life
and the families who made it possible.

Nicole died a hero.

She saved the lives of six people through her donation of seven organs.

Her right kidney went to a 17 year old girl.
Her left kidney to a 54 year old man. (A perfect match)
Her heart was transplanted into a 51 year old man
Her liver went to a 55 year old man.
Her pancreas to a 51 year old lady.
Both of her lungs were transplanted into a 24 year old young lady.
All the recipients continue to do well.

Nicole has left this life a better place,
giving a new beginning, renewed hope,
and a second chance at life to complete strangers.

You can be assured that these generous gifts
will never be forgotten by the patients and their families.

We hope the news of these precious gifts brings you
and your family comfort and peace at this time.

Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someone's world by being a donor. It's about living. It's about Life. Information came from Donate Life America.

FACTS:

Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. Learn these facts to help you better understand organ, eye and tissue donation:

Fact: Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history.

Fact: All major religions in the United States support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love and generosity toward others.

Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ, eye and tissue donation can only be considered after you are deceased.

Fact: When you are on the waiting list for an organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information, not your financial status or celebrity status.

Fact: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors. Through the entire donation process the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or their family for organ or tissue donation."

STASTICS:

Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors.

*More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.

*Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

*An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

*In 2009, there were 8,021 deceased organ donors and 6,610 living organ donors resulting in 28,465 organ transplants.

*Last year, more than 42,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.

*According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.

*90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor."