Right now, 2,407 Michigan residents are waiting for a kidney donation. 316 people in our state are desperately hoping for a new liver, and 76 residents are awaiting a heart transplant. The total number of people on the organ donation list sits at 2,943, and that’s just in Michigan.
Organ donations appear to be on the rise. WWJ Radio reports the gifts were up by 25% in June of this year, but the Secretary of State says that’s not enough. “On average, 18 people die each day waiting for a transplant,” the SOS website reports. “Every 11 minutes, a new name is added to the national waiting list.”
The numbers are staggering, and so the SOS wants Michigan residents to be aware of how they can help save a life. The process is simple. Click this link to the Department of State, and enter your name, birthday, and driver’s license number. Once the process is complete, they’ll send a heart sticker to place on your license, to identify you as a registered organ donor.
In the meantime, we want to hear stories from you.
Are you currently an organ donor? Why or Why not?
Have you, or someone you know, ever received a donated organ?
Leave us your comments below or on the NBC25 Facebook page.
