Organ Donation

Over the past few years, and especially in the last few weeks, I have learned a lot about organ donation. Organ donation is a personal choice, but I would encourage all of you to research it and make a choice for yourselves. It is something that you can do in a tragedy to bless the lives of others.

Here are a few facts about organ donation:

• Almost 100,000 people in the U.S. are on the waiting list for an organ.
• An average of 18 people die every day because not enough organs are available.
• Kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers, pancreases, and intestines are the organs that can be transplanted.
• Blood vessels, bone, bone marrow, connective tissue, corneas, heart valves, middle ears, and skin are among the tissues that can be transplanted.
• Organ donation does not change the appearance of the body for the funeral service.
• Organ donation costs NOTHING for the donor, all costs related to donation are paid for by the recipient and their health insurance.
• Every effort is made to save your life before donation is considered.

Check out the following websites for more information or to sign up to be an organ donor:

• http://www.giftoflifemichigan.org/
• http://www.organdonor.gov/