May is Older Americans Month

As we take a month out of the year to honor and embrace older American’s, it is also a time to consider leaving a legacy. In your lifetime, you may never have the opportunity to save anyone’s life, but after life is finished on earth, you have the potential to save 8 lives and improve the quality of life to as many as 50+ others.

Many have not registered to be an organ donor because they feel that they are too old or are not in perfect health. You are never too old to register to be an organ donor and you can register regardless of your medical history! Recent medical advancements have made it possible for people to become donors in spite of health concerns previously experienced.

Since 1988, the number of donors over the age of 50 has steadily increased. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), in 2015, there were 3,060 donors ages 50 and older- 34% of donors. According to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the number of organ recipients over the age of 50 in 2015 was 18,271 – over 58% of the transplants performed. Of those currently on the waiting list, over 65% are over the age of 50.

There have been people in their 90’s that have been successful donors. At 92, a retired teacher from Texas who died from a brain hemorrhage successfully donated his liver to a 69 year old woman who was suffering from end-stage liver disease.

We encourage you to register to be an organ donor regardless of your age or medical history and let the transplants specialist determine if your organs and tissues are viable enough for transplant.

Turn a Time of Loss Into a Time of Hope. Become an organ donor! Click here to register now.