Robert Turner, executive director of LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma, the not for profit agency responsible for recovering organs and tissues in Oklahoma, points out that, “More than one in three Oklahomans have registered to be donors. There are few states in which the public has shown this level of support for donation. Oklahomans,” Turner suggests, “must be among the most generous and compassionate people in our nation.”
Last year, 87 Oklahomans became organ donors, making transplantation possible for more than 200 Oklahomans. This notwithstanding, 44 Oklahomans still died awaiting the lifesaving gift. And while this is the fewest patients to have died waiting in ten years, it is far too many. More than 560 Oklahomans are currently on the transplant waiting list. The altruism of 418 Oklahomans who donated skin, bone, and heart valves, reduced pain, and aided healing to thousands of burn victims and patients suffering from debilitating injuries. The Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, a partner with LifeShare in meeting recipient needs, adds that last year over 200 patients enjoyed the restoration of sight because of the kindness of Oklahomans.
LifeShare and the Lions Eye Bank encourage every Oklahoman to register his or her wish to be a donor during Oklahoma Donate Life Month. There are three ways to do this:
• Indicate your wishes concerning organ, eye and tissue donation when you renew your Oklahoma driver license or state identification card.
• Register online at www.lifeshareregistry.org. Upon registration you will be sent a signature card; by signing, dating and returning your card by mail, your registration will be complete.
• If you don’t have access to the internet dial 800-826-LIFE (5433) and a donor registration card will be mailed to you. Upon receipt of a completed registration card, your name will be added to the registry.
LifeShare and the Lions Eye Bank also encourage Oklahomans to donate a dollar to the Donor Education Fund when applying for a driver license or state identification card. The funds, which go into a revolving account administered by the Oklahoma Department of Health, are used to promote awareness of the critical need for organ, eye and tissue donation.
Jeanette King, executive director of the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank, says, “The people of Oklahoma are making wonderful things happen though donation. We look forward to the time when every Oklahoman has made the decision to be a donor, and we think that is possible.”
