Skip to contents
In This Issue:
Approximately 17 people die each day awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. They are among the 80,000 people nationwide who are on the national transplant waiting list. Additionally, there are tens of thousands of individuals who are awaiting life-enhancing bone, heart valve, vein, skin and corneal transplants.
The need for organs and tissues for transplant is increasing at a rapid rate, and the need far exceeds the availability of these organs and tissues. To combat this imbalance and increase general awareness for organ and tissue donation, BWH supports the federal government’s designation of April as National Donate Life Month.
“Making the decision to become an organ and tissue donor is just the first step,” says Sean Fitzpatrick, director of Public Education at New England Organ Bank (NEOB). “Individuals need to share their decision to donate with their families.”
Hospitals like BWH play an integral role in the quest for alleviating the donor shortage and provide a valuable service to the local community by ensuring that the families of all potential donors are given the opportunity to donate organs and tissues.
Everyone at BWH can become involved in raising awareness, whether it’s by signing a donor card, initiating conversation among one’s own family and friends or making a commitment to learn more about donation.
For more information on organ and tissue donation and how to obtain a donor card, call NEOB at 1-800-446-6362 or visit the web site (www.neob.org). Look for details on an upcoming NEOB information session to be held at BWH later in April.