They say we will all know someone who will need an organ donation or we will need one ourselves sooner or later. Back in 2008, we did our first post on this topic – How to Become An Organ Donor.
Since then, thousands of readers have found that post and spent time reading the details and using the provided links to learn more. Thank you to everyone who did that. Thinking about it, along with research, is the first step.
Back then, a friend in another part of the country had a family member who needed a heart to live. This year our inspiration is closer to home. We ran into a fellow dog lover and former neighbor on Boylston Street. She told us she may soon be a candidate for a heart and lung transplant. This time the need is closer to home and we are thinking of her, her family, and her pups often.
Have you talked to your family about becoming an organ donor?
Perhaps this holiday season, when people gather in the spirit of giving, would be a great time to express your wishes and fill out the necessary forms.
Here are the links you need to become an organ donor.
It can be as easy as scanning the QR code on the poster above. That will link you to the national site.
(Since many of our readers are from other parts of the country, we've included the national resources.)
Here's the link to the New England Organ Bank. They have a page where you can sign up online. And, they provide links to other resources here.
Here is the United States government's site on organ donation.
Here's a link to all the state tissue donor registries.
How to bring up the subject?
- You could say that you read this post online and want to talk about it.
- Announce that becoming an organ donor is one of your New Year's Resoutions for 2013.
- Ask if anyone in your group knows someone who has had or needs an organ transplant.
- Register yourself before hand and pull out your drivers license to ask who else is an organ donor. You may be surprised at the response!
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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