National Donate Life Month was first established in 2003 by President George Bush to raise awareness for the critical need for organ, tissue, marrow and blood donations. Now, every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming donors. Hundreds of lives
are saved daily as a result of these vital donations from complete strangers and, with over 98,000 people on the organ donor list, the need is only growing.

Anyone can participate, the first step is telling family and friends of the decision. If the service is available, individuals
may also register with a State Donor Registry. To help this important cause, individuals may even become advocates by encouraging their companies, schools, unions, or other organizations to join in the efforts.

The month-long observance of “National Donate Life Month” underscores the importance of donation and becoming a designated organ donor in the future. Having a month focused upon donation awareness serves as a small reminder that someday it could be ourselves or our loved ones in need of this vital help.

(information is from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website www.OrganDonor.gov)