East Hartford Raises Flag in Recognition of Donate Life Month
East Hartford, CT— The Town of East Hartford kicked off National Donate Life Month by hosting a flag raising ceremony on Tuesday, April 5 at the East Hartford Town Hall. The flag will fly at the Town Hall through April in order to raise awareness of the critical need for organ donors.
“None of us should ever face the critical need for an organ transplant, but if we ever do, we know that there are people that are donors and that there are organizations like Hartford Healthcare that have our lives in their hands,” said Mayor Michael P. Walsh.
The annual National Donate Life Month is a celebration commemorating those who have given the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. For those whose lives have been saved or healed by a transplant, National Donate Life Month provides a chance to share their story to encourage more people to register as donors. At the ceremony two East Hartford residents shared their inspiring stories, encouraging the community to become organ donors – Art Parker and State Representative Jeff Currey.
“I am a survivor and I urge you to consider becoming an organ donor because doing so you are giving the gift of life not only to just one person, but you are helping many others with serious and terminal diseases,” said resident Art Parker. “The gift of life is the most precious gift that anyone could get.”
In addition to organ donation, tissue donations help over one million individuals each year. Heart valve, bone and skin donations give recipients a new chance at a healthy life; the recovery of tendons and ligaments can help heal a severe sports injury, while cornea donations give the gift of sight.
While 95% of Americans are in favor of being a donor, only 58 percent of the U.S. adult population are registered organ and tissue donors. However, the number of people in need of transplants continues to outpace the number of organs donated.
“There have been some challenges with transplants this past year due to the new allocation system, but events like this are crucial to spread awareness,” said Living Donor Transplant Coordinator at Hartford Healthcare Asamoah Anane.
Currently, over 106,000 people are waiting for a transplant and a second chance at life. On average, 20 people die each day because the organ they need is not donated in time. That is almost one person dying every hour. Registering your decision to become a donor is the most effective way to save lives through donation and it is a sign of support to those who continue to wait.
“I know I would not be here today,” said State Representative Jeff Currey. “Because of the gift of life from my donor, I get to stand here before you today, I get to continue the relationships that I have with my family, my friends, my chosen family, my constituents who I have the privilege to represent, and my colleagues across the river to try and to try and make this ball we’re on a little bit better.”
There are a number of ways to become an organ donor. The easiest way is to indicate it on your drivers’ license when you renew it at the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle. For additional ways to register as an organ donor please visit registerme.org.