Event recognizes organ donation
COLUMBUS -- Gov. Mike Dewine joined Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost at Lifeline of Ohio’s Donor Memorial to recognize National Donate Life Blue and Green Day, and to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation in Ohio and across the United States.
“Today in Ohio, there are more than 3,000 people who are waiting for an organ donation,” Dewine said in a news release on Friday.
“They are our family members, neighbors, and friends. All of us have the potential to help those in need by registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor,” Dewine went on to state.
Dewine issued a proclamation declaring April 16, 2021, as Donation Decision Day in Ohio.
Donation Decision Day encourages Ohioans to talk with their families about the decision to be a donor, register their decision in the Ohio Donor Registry and raise awareness about the lifesaving and healing impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation, the news release stated.
In the United States 108,000 people, including more than 3,000 Ohioans, are waiting for a lifesaving transplant today, the news release stated. “I believe strongly in the sanctity of life and in the ability each and every one of us have to save lives,” Yost said.
“As we draw our last breath, God grants each of us the power to work miracles in the lives of others. Be a miracle worker,” Yost also said in the release.
Registered donors have the potential to save eight lives through organ donation, and heal more than 75 through tissue donation, the news release stated.
Organs that can be donated include kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine.
Tissues that can be donated include heart valves, corneas, skin, bone, ligaments, tendons, fascia and veins.
Ohioans age 151/2 or older who hold a valid Ohio driver’s license, learner’s permit, or state ID card can authorize the donation of their organs, eyes and tissue by joining the Ohio Donor Registry when visiting an Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office or online at donatelifeohio.org
April is National Donate Life Month, a dedicated time to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors, and honors those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.