As the New Year approaches, many of us are beginning to think about the type of intentions we’d like to set for 2024. Giving back to others is a common resolution at the start of a new year, and is a goal that may be easier to accomplish than you think. By registering as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, you can give hope to the 100,000+ patients who are currently waiting to receive the gift of life. In fact, up to 75 lives can be saved and healed by just one donor!
Once registered as an organ and tissue donor, you can also expand your intentions for 2024 to create an even larger impact on your community. During this season of fresh starts, consider these powerful ways to support the life-saving work of organ donation:
Talk to your family
It can be very difficult for a family experiencing a tragic loss to make a decision about donation. When faced with the reality of your passing, if your family doesn’t know your wishes, it could create a confusing situation during an emotionally sensitive time. Having clarity beforehand can simplify their decision-making as they deal with an unimaginable loss.
Focus on remaining healthy
Staying active and eating healthy are already among the most common New Year’s resolutions, but this year you might include the goal of preventing diseases that can lead to organ failure. This would include making choices to prevent diabetes, liver disease, emphysema, and other conditions that can jeopardize organ health. You’re more likely to need an organ transplant than to be an organ donor. This could be a good opportunity to ensure you don’t add your name to the transplant waitlist.
Celebrate life
If you are the recipient of an organ or tissue donation, you know better than anyone how precious life truly is. It might cause you to discover renewed energy to celebrate your health as we transition into a new year! Even if you are not an organ recipient, this season is an opportunity to honor donors and their families by living life to the fullest and appreciating each moment.
Volunteer
Finding ways to brighten and enrich the lives of others is one of the best ways to start a new year. In addition to helping your community, studies show that volunteering has a positive impact on your own mental health. Mid-America Transplant offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities:
- Make blankets for donor families: Every other month, Mid-America hosts a blanket-making day, where volunteers come together to create beautiful, handmade blankets for donor families. These blankets stay with each organ donor throughout the donation process and are passed on to the donor’s family afterwards as a tangible reminder of their loved one’s incredible generosity.
- Support our signature events: Events like the annual Celebrate Life 5K Run/Walk are a crucial part of our community outreach, and they require many hands to plan and execute.
- Share your story: If you are an organ or tissue recipient, a donor family, or otherwise connected to the donation community, we hope you will consider sharing your story at a public event or by submitting it for our website and social media pages. There is nothing more powerful than hearing first-hand the impact that organ donation has had on someone’s life.
- Provide administrative support: Many volunteers choose to support our mission by performing critical office tasks, such as assembling donor family packets and clerical assistance.
- Be an advocate: One of the simplest and most important things you can do to support Mid-America Transplant’s mission is to speak with your friends and family about becoming an organ and tissue donor in an effort to encourage them to give the ultimate gift.
If you are not already signed up to be an organ and tissue donor, we hope 2024 will be the year. In just a few minutes, you can sign up here to become a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor and bring hope to families who are holding out for a miracle.