Organ donors are lifesavers

April is National Donate Life Month for promoting organ and tissue donation. Over 113,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant. Approximately 6,600 people will die this year because they did not get a much-needed organ. The registration rate for adults in Illinois is about 60 percent, much better than the 40 percent rate across the country. If the registration rate went up to 80-90 percent, much of the waiting list and many of the deaths would disappear.

Just one organ donor can save the lives of as many as nine people, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of as many as 25 people. As a double corneal transplant recipient, I can speak for the great enhancement of my life because of donation. It takes 30 seconds to register to be a donor at www.donatelifeillinois.org. Please register and share your decision with your family and friends. You have the power to change the lives of those who are desperately waiting for lifesaving or life-enhancing gifts of hope.

Don Rowley

Arlington Heights