Editorial roundup

April 18

The Valdosta Daily Times

Organ donation

April is many things. Christians around the world celebrated Easter, as they honored and remembered the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Jewish holiday of Passover commemorates the liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, taking its name from the Book of Exodus when the Israelites were told to mark the doorposts of their homes with lamb’s blood so the spirit of the Lord would pass over as it carried out the 10th plague of the death of the first born.

So it’s appropriate that in the month these two holidays are held, both in their own way celebrating life in the face of death, that we also remember National Donate Life Month.

Organ donation also celebrates life in the face of death.

There are around 118,000 men, women and children in America currently awaiting an organ transplant.

Some need lungs. Some need kidneys. Some need a liver. Some need a heart. Some need eyes or even skin.

One donor can save up to eight lives, and through the donation of eyes and skin, can improve the lives of many more.

Roughly 45 percent of American adults are registered as organ donors, though it varies greatly from state to state.

Georgia is currently at about 4.7 million. Registering is simple. Georgia residents can sign up for organ donation at www. donatelifegeorgia.org.

Georgia residents can also choose to have it listed on their driver’s licenses when they get or renew their licenses.

For grieving friends and family members, there’s comfort in knowing the death of their loved one has resulted in so much life, both lives saved and lives improved.

It’s somber to think about it, but planning ahead is a way to perform one last act of kindness and generosity, to reach out to someone and help them, to celebrate life in the face of death.