This year’s theme: ‘Donors are Superstars’
April is National Donate Life Month, an annual observance focusing national attention on how organ and tissue donation saves lives.
This year’s theme is “Donors are Superstars.” Artwork was inspired by the night sky and the billions of stars that make up the universe. Stars remind us that even in the darkest night, there is light. One’s decision to be an organ and tissue donor gives hope and light to Americans on the national transplant waiting list who are waiting for a second chance at life. That’s why donors are superstars.
Hoosiers are encouraged to learn more about donation, sign up to become donors and participate in four key days to raise awareness about and support donation and transplantation.
“It is the generosity of donors and donor families that makes saving lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation possible,” Indiana Donor Network President and CEO Kellie Tremain said. “We honor deceased and living donors and celebrate the lives they saved through their selfless decisions to become donors.”
Ways Hoosiers can help save lives during National Donate Life Month
Know the statistics. Nationally, more than 103,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, including more than 1,300 Hoosiers:
- Every day in the U.S., 17 people die waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
- Only three in 1,000 people die in a way that allows for potential organ donation.
- Only when a patient is declared clinically and legally dead is donation an option.
- Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to be a donor. No one should rule themselves out for any reason.
- More than 46,000 lifesaving transplants were performed in 2023.
- More than 170 million people, including more than 4.4 million Hoosiers, have signed up to become organ and tissue donors.
Organs that can be donated for transplantation include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, small intestine and pancreas.
One tissue donor can heal up to 75 people. Tissues that can be donated for reconstructive surgical procedures:
- Skin heals burn victims or patients with serious infections.
- Veins restore circulation.
- Bone prevents need for amputation.
- Heart valves repair many cardiac defects.
- Corneas restore sight.
- Ligaments, tendons, and cartilage restore mobility.
Learn more about and share the Donate Life message. Donate Life Indiana’s website, DonateLifeIndiana.org, has a host of information for Hoosiers to learn more about the facts about organ and tissue donation. Indiana residents can help educate others about how their generosity can help save and heal lives by becoming an advocate for donation.
Sign up. One donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance up to 75 lives through tissue donation. One cornea donor can restore sight to two people. Despite age or medical history, anyone can sign up to be an organ donor. There are four ways that Hoosiers can sign up:
- They can say “yes” when conducting business at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch.
- They can sign up online at DonateLifeIndiana.org.
- They can sign up when they apply online for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license through the state Department of Natural Resources.
- They can say “yes” through the Health app on their iPhone or iPad.
Join in on key celebrations throughout April. Hoosiers can support Donate Life causes in their communities and online:
- April 6 to 12: Blue and Green Spirit Week – The week leading up to National Donate Life Blue and Green Day has themed days focused on appreciation, outreach, and education.
- April 12: National Donate Life Blue and Green Day – Hoosiers are encouraged to show their blue and green colors in support of the Donate Life message and mission and join the National Donate Life Blue and Green Day Photo Contest.
- April 21 to 27: National Pediatric Transplant Week – The last full week of National Donate Life Month is dedicated to children. National Pediatric Transplant Week focuses on ending the pediatric transplant waiting list.
About Donate Life Indiana
Since 1998, Donate Life Indiana has been the state-authorized nonprofit organization responsible for managing the Indiana donor registry. Its mission is to save lives by creating opportunities for all Indiana citizens to sign up on the organization’s official state registry while striving to raise awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation through public education. For more, visit DonateLifeIndiana.org.