Each day, 22 people in the United States die while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Chester County Hospital is pleased to join the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Gift of Life Donor Program and organ procurement organizations throughout the country to inspire hope, advocacy and passion for National Donate Life Month this April and beyond. Gift of Life is encouraging individuals to register to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor.
“The number of people in need of transplants far exceeds the number of organs, tissues and corneas that are donated, and at Gift of Life, we’re passionate about educating people on the need to become an organ, tissue and cornea donor,” said Howard M. Nathan, President and CEO. “Registering to become a donor only takes about 30 seconds, but it’s one of the most meaningful ways individuals can inspire hope and change the life of someone waiting for a transplant.”
"As part of the Penn Medicine health system, we are uniquely positioned to not only tend to the health of our patients, but to inspire our community to be mindful of wellness in all aspects of life," said Michael J. Duncan, Chester County Hospital President and CEO. "The more people we can inspire to become organ donors, the better we can serve our mission to be advocates for the well-being of our entire community."
Individuals are encouraged to talk with family members and friends about registering as a donor. Each organ, tissue and cornea donor can help up to 50 people. To sign up, visit www.donors1.org/Penn.
Some important facts about organ, tissue and cornea donation:
- Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race or medical history.
- More than 5,400 patients in the region await life-saving organ transplants. Thousands of others could benefit from life-enhancing tissue transplants.
- Only 46% of registered drivers in Pennsylvania have designated themselves as organ and tissue donors.
- With nearly 100,000 people across the nation awaiting a kidney, they are the organ in greatest demand, followed by liver, heart and lungs.
- Because conditions such as diabetes and hypertension are often more prevalent in the multicultural community, these individuals make up more than 50 percent of those on the national organ transplant list.