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Donate Life needs you
by Marie Filzola

Donate Life Northwest is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives and increase awareness about how to improve health through the promotion of organ, eye, and tissue donation in Oregon and Southwest Washington. After doing some research, I found out that in Washington County, Cedar Mill has a low rate of people who have signed up to become an Organ Donor. And I would like to change that.

We organize donation awareness presentations or information events in the community, providing programs to schools, community, business, faith centers and media around the State. We will be making a presentation at the upcoming July 9 CPO 1 meeting.

What does someone need to do to be an organ donor? Is carrying an ID card enough? Isn’t there something on a driver’s license? Do doctors encourage patients to sign up?

Being registered means that you are registered to become a donor. At the time of your death, a team of transplant specialists will decide if you will become one or not. You can register to be a donor regardless of age or health.

Having the “D” on your driver’s license means that you wish to be registered. However, it is important to remember that donation is possible only when the family is committed to the process. Sharing your wishes makes it easier for your loved ones to support your desire to give.

How to register:

• 13+ years old sign up at www.donatelifenw.org, or request a paper form by calling 503-494-7888
• Code your driver’s permit, license or state identification with the Oregon DMV
• Install an iPhone health app

I have a very strong connection with Donate Life Northwest. After my daughter's father had two kidney transplants I made it my intention to one-day help reach the community—especially the Latino community—with education about organ, eye, and tissue donation. I was a volunteer for almost three years until I became part of the organization as the Latino outreach coordinator.

One donor can save eight lives through organ donation, and heal more than 75 others through eye and tissue donation. Unfortunately, the need for organ donors is much greater than the number of people who actually donate.

Currently, more than 114,400 men, women and children in the United States are waiting for a donor organ. In the Pacific Northwest, there are 3,154 people waiting. Of these, 2,524 are waiting for kidney transplants. Additionally, thousands more await a tissue or cornea transplant.

Each day 22 people die in the U.S. waiting for an organ transplant. Every 10 minutes another person is added to the waiting list. Nearly 2,000 children under the age of 18 are on the national transplant waiting list.

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