(RxWiki News) One major roadblock of getting organ transplants for patients is finding people who are willing to donate. Now, the donation and transplant community is celebrating a long-awaited turn in the right direction.
There are 100 million registered organ, eye, and tissue donors in the United States. This milestone was a goal set in 2006 by Donate Life America and others in the donation and transplant community.
"Save a life - register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor."
There are currently more than 112,000 people in the United States who need an organ transplant, and that number is rapidly growing. Every 10 minutes, another person joins the ranks of those on the organ transplant waiting list.
Even though 90 percent of Americans say they support organ donation, only a fraction of those know the necessary steps to become a donor. This leaves many patients without a life-saving transplant. On average, 18 patients die each day because there are not enough available organs for transplant.
Despite these sobering statistics, the donation and transplant community may be on the right track. Reaching the milestone of 100 million donors is a much-needed sign of progress. However, many more donors are required to continue saving more lives.
According to Patrick Giordano, CEO of Texas Organ Sharing Alliance, "Each one of us has the power to save lives. We encourage those who have not yet registered to be an organ donor to please consider doing so. Your decision could mean a second chance at life for eight people."
Although this achievement is reason for celebration, much more work is needed. Donate Life America and its partner organizations now have the goal of adding 20 million more registered donors by the end of 2012.
To learn more about organ donation or how to become an organ donor, visit donatelife.net.
