Whether it’s liver, kidneys or bone marrow, countless people on various organ-donation lists are anxiously awaiting the gift of life. And circuit court clerks throughout Kentucky will celebrate National Donate Life Month in April with their Trust For Life program.
“This program is so important because currently more than 110,000 Americans are registered on the national transplant waiting list for donated organs, including approximately 700 Kentuckians, with a new name being added to the list every 14 minutes,” Jessamine County circuit clerk Doug Fain said. “Approximately 15 to 18 people die each day while waiting for a life-saving transplant. In 2010, 379 successful organ transplants were performed in Kentucky. It is estimated that twice as many could have been performed if more people said yes to donation.”
Last year marked a milestone for the Trust For Life program as more than 1 million Kentuckians registered to become donors.
Since 2007, Fain said 15,428 Jessamine Countians have signed on to be donors.
“It is important to remember that regardless of age or medical history, every Kentucky resident (with a driver’s license or state ID) can join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry,” Fain said.
But the demand for organ donations is not meeting up with supply, Fain said.
“Our numbers have continued to grow each year, but more are needed,” he said. “As circuit court clerk, it is one of my greatest honors to spread the life-saving message of organ donation every day. Our office asks every person getting a license or ID if they would like to add their name to the registry and donate $1 to educate Kentucky about this crucial need. With more than 800 of our fellow Kentuckians and their families waiting for an organ transplant, we can give hope simply by registering.”
The process for registering is simple, Fain said.
“Individuals may indicate their wish to be a donor by placing their name on the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry when renewing their drivers’ licenses or state identification cards at our office,” he said.
For more information on Donate for Life, call 1-866-945-5433, e-mail info@trustforlife.org or visit www.trustforlife.org.
