From little children born with congenital defects to adults suffering from end-state organ failure, each of these people listed is waiting for that second chance at life. Thanks to the generosity and kindness of strangers, many of these individuals will receive that very chance. They will be given the ultimate gift of life from an organ and tissue donor. One donor can save or enhance the life of more than a dozen people. Among the organs that can be donated are the kidneys, lungs, heart, liver and pancreas.
Tissue donation can include skin, bone, tendons, heart valves and corneas.
Donated tissue can be used to give skin grafts to burn victims, to replace heart valves that don t function properly, and to restore sight to someone living in a world of darkness. While these numbers may seem staggering, there is still a critical shortage of organs nationwide. Roughly ten people die each day because an organ was not available to save their life. Making the decision to become an organ and tissue donor is so simple, yet it is a decision that must be shared. Even if you have already signed an organ donor card, you still haven t completed the decision-making process until you tell your family about your wishes.