LifeSharers Preaches “Golden Rule” During National Donor Sabbath
As faith communities throughout the country prepare to observe National Donor Sabbath on November 14-16, an organ donation network called LifeSharers says the “Golden Rule” is the key to increasing the number of organ donors and saving lives.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (PRWEB) November 13, 2003 -
16, an organ donation network called LifeSharers says the “Golden Rule” is the key to increasing the number of organ donors and saving lives.
“When it comes to organ donation, we should all treat others as we want them to treat us. That means anyone who would be willing to accept an organ transplant if they ever needed one should sign an organ donor card,” says David J. Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers.
LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors that was launched last year to help alleviate the shortage of human organs and tissue needed for transplant operations. That shortage kills over 6,000 Americans every year, and gets larger every day. More than half the people who need an organ transplant in America die before they get one.
LifeSharers members agree to donate their organs and tissue when they die. They direct their donation first to other members of the LifeSharers network (unless no member is a suitable match). By giving fellow members first access to their organs, LifeSharers members reward organ donors and create an incentive for others to become donors.
“Almost everybody agrees that donating your organs when you die is the right thing to do, and almost nobody would refuse an organ transplant if they needed one,” adds Mr. Undis. “But only half of the organs that could be transplanted are actually donated. Most Americans haven’t gotten around to signing a donor card and talking to their family about it. We give people a good reason to take those steps – a better chance to live if you ever need an organ in the future.”
There has been a shortage of organs ever since the first transplant operations, and the shortage is getting worse every year. According to statistics compiled by the United Network for Organ Sharing, over 83,000 Americans are now on a waiting list for an organ transplant, and another name gets added to the list about every 14 minutes. Somebody on the waiting list dies about every 90 minutes.
“LifeSharers members will give our organs to anyone who is willing to do the same for us. We’ll give them to others, too, if no member can use them. We walk and talk the Golden Rule,” says Mr. Undis.
LifeSharers membership is free and open to all at http://www. lifesharers. com (http://www. lifesharers. com). LifeSharers does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, health status, marital status, or economic status.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL DONOR SABBATH
November 14-16 is the eighth annual National Donor Sabbath. The event was started by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Transplantation to get churches and faith-based organizations involved in activities to increase awareness of the critical need for organs and tissues and the miracle of transplantation. Most religions in the United States support organ and tissue donation as an honored and compassionate expression of generosity and love. More information about the National Donor Sabbath is available at http://www. organdonor. gov/natldonorsabbath2002.htm (http://www. organdonor. gov/natldonorsabbath2002.htm)
ABOUT LIFESHARERS
LifeSharers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit network of organ donors. Membership in LifeSharers is free and open to all. Since its launch on May 22, 2002, LifeSharers has attracted 1,672 members in 49 states and the District of Columbia. The LifeSharers web site is at http://www. lifesharers. com (http://www. lifesharers. com).
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