LANSING — The Michigan Senate on Thursday adopted a resolution sponsored by Sen. Morris Hood III and Sen. John Proos to declare Valentine’s Day as Organ Donor Registry Day.
“Registering to become an organ donor is something we can all do to lend a helping hand to someone in need,” said Hood, D-Detroit. “It costs nothing, but can create multiple opportunities to save or enrich the lives of people we may never even meet. It is imperative that we work together to spread awareness of our state’s organ donor registry to help people understand how they can get involved and the positive impact they can have.”
Senate Resolution 14 declares Feb. 14 as Organ Donor Registry Day in the state of Michigan. The measure also says that organ and tissue donation from one individual can save or enhance the lives of up to 75 people.
“There are thousands of Americans currently in need of a life-saving organ transplant, including more than 3,500 people here in Michigan,” said Proos, R-St. Joseph. “While about half of Michigan adults are currently registered as organ donors, it’s not enough to meet the need. By celebrating Organ Donor Registry Day on Valentine’s Day, we hope to raise awareness about the chance each of us has to potentially save the life of someone we love or someone we will never meet through organ donation and transplantation.”
According to Donate Life America, more than 120,000 men, women and children nationwide currently need an organ transplant; every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list; and an average of 21 people die each day waiting for an available organ.
“Many people wait a lifetime to be matched with a donor,” Hood said. “By becoming an organ donor, we can help cut the wait time and increase the survival rates of people all over our state. There is not a better gift someone can give than the gift of life.”