If you believe the myth that your
contribution can’t possibly make a
noticeable difference, think again.
You—and you alone—could save
the lives of up to eight people and
enhance the lives of dozens more
just by making the decision to
become an organ donor after
your death.
On Jan. 1, 2007, there were 94,250
patients listed nationally for organ
transplants. Of those, 3,310 were
listed at transplant centers in Florida.
Each of them is waiting, patiently,
with hope, for the call that will give
them a new lease on life. They are
awaiting the day the phone rings with
a call from the transplant center
saying, “We have a heart for you.
You need to come to the hospital.”
There are more than 100 patients in
Florida awaiting heart transplants.
Another 125 are in need of new lungs.
Almost 450 people are on the waiting
list for livers, and an astounding 2,600
people—in Florida alone—need
lifesaving kidney transplants.
When you say yes to becoming an
organ donor, you graciously allow
part of yourself to live on after you
pass away. You truly are giving the
gift of life, and your decision can
provide a certain comfort to your
family, knowing your final hours
also became your finest hours.
There are three things you can do to
become an organ donor in Florida:
- Have a conversation with your
family and tell them your wishes.
- Sign and carry a donor card,
downloadable from the Florida
Coalition on Donation at
www.fcod.org.
- Join Florida’s organ donor registry
by visiting a motor vehicle office
near you.
Give the gift of life. Consider organ
donation.
Donate Life America
www.donatelife.net
LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services
www.LifeQuestFla.org
Saying “yes” could allow a father
to get the heart transplant that
brings him back to his family and
gives him the chance to once
again go fishing with his children
and grandchildren.
Saying “yes” could provide sight
to a child who has never seen a
sunset.
Saying
“yes” could
remove a
child with
cystic fibrosis
from the oxygen
tank that has kept
her breathing
when her own
lungs have failed,
allowing her to
enjoy a life filled
with slumber
parties and Girl
Scouts.
Saying “yes” could provide
lifesaving skin grafts to a
firefighter who was burned
trying to save others.
Saying “yes” could
allow a teenager to
come off the dialysis
machine that has been
his lifeline for hours a
day, several days a
week.
Saying “yes” could give a high school teacher a new liver and
a new lease on life, restoring the energy she thought she never
would have again.
“One person can’t make
that big a difference.”
