SCOTTSBLUFF ― In recognition of National Donate Life Month, Regional West encourages community members to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors, and donate blood and blood products.
More than 300 people in Nebraska and more than 100,000 in the U.S. are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant; countless others are in need of corneas, tissue, tendons, and ligaments. The national transplant waiting list has another name added every nine minutes.
“Organ donation is the ultimate pay-it-forward gift,” said Regional West surgeon Rommie Hughes, MD, FACS, RPVI. “The average wait time is numerous years. Thousands of people die every year because of the unavailability of organs.”
Regional West encourages all families to discuss organ donation. Making the decision for yourself in advance makes it easier for your family during a difficult time. Registering as a donor ensures your decision to become a donor is carried out upon your death. Choose to register as an organ donor today, or check the box to be an organ donor when you get or renew your driver’s license.
You can also donate blood and blood products for life-saving blood transfusions. Sixty percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, yet only five percent of those eligible actually do so.
“Donating a small amount of your time by giving blood can help save up to three lives.” said Dr. Hughes.
To learn more about donating blood, visit https://www.rwhs.org/ways-give/blood-donation, or call West Nebraska Blood Center at 308-630-2477.
