April is National Donate Life Month. The month-long observance began in 2003 and serves to educate the public on the importance of organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donation.
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reports that there are currently 91,684 people on waiting lists to receive organs. They reported that in 2005 28,110 organ transplants were performed and there were 14,489 donors.
Raising awareness about donation is vitally important. The campaign to increase understanding of organ and tissue donation began in 1983 when April 22 through April 29, 1984 was declared National Organ Donation Awareness Week. In 2003, the observance was increased to a full month. At the same time the name was changed to "National Donate Life Month" and the awareness program evolved to cover not only organ and tissue donation, but bone marrow and blood donation as well.
This April, resolve to learn more about organ and tissue donation and how you can give the gift of life.
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reports that there are currently 91,684 people on waiting lists to receive organs. They reported that in 2005 28,110 organ transplants were performed and there were 14,489 donors.
Raising awareness about donation is vitally important. The campaign to increase understanding of organ and tissue donation began in 1983 when April 22 through April 29, 1984 was declared National Organ Donation Awareness Week. In 2003, the observance was increased to a full month. At the same time the name was changed to "National Donate Life Month" and the awareness program evolved to cover not only organ and tissue donation, but bone marrow and blood donation as well.
This April, resolve to learn more about organ and tissue donation and how you can give the gift of life.
