Organ, tissue and eye donations: gifts of hope and healing
By Mark Ritchie
Organ, tissue and eye donations are gifts that provide healing and a chance for continued and improved life to those in need of transplantation. More than 2 million Minnesotans are registered to give life through donation by checking "donor" on their licenses or registering online. I honor what their willingness to help someone they may never meet represents — the very best in humanity. While this generosity is saving lives every day, there are another 2 million Minnesotans who have not registered. What can we do to persuade them to spend the five minutes it takes to donate life?
In 2010, more than 28,000 men, women and children in the United States received a life-saving organ transplant. For these individuals, a transplant granted them the opportunity to enjoy time with their families, return to work or school and to live a full life. However, they represent just one-fourth of the more than 112,000 people nationwide in need of transplants. In Minnesota, nearly 3,000 people are waiting. We can help these hopeful people by increasing the number of people who are registered and committed to donation.
Turning loss into hope
While we often read about how a donated organ has saved the life of someone in our community, I want readers to understand that organ donation can provide hope and healing for the families of donors as well. I know this from experience.
While we often read about how a donated organ has saved the life of someone in our community, I want readers to understand that organ donation can provide hope and healing for the families of donors as well. I know this from experience.
On Thanksgiving weekend 11 years ago, we lost our almost 21-year-old daughter, Rachel, to a drunk driver. Thanks to incredibly skilled emergency responders and Hennepin County Medical Center nurses and doctors, she was able to be a donor. With the help of a LifeSource counselor, my wife, Nancy Gaschott, and I understood the importance of this decision and the potential to save other lives, when we knew we could never have our Rachel back. On Rachel's behalf, we made the decision to sign the forms to donate and then returned to face our shattered world.
Courtesy of Mark RitchieMark Ritchie, Rachel Ritchie, and Nancy Gaschott
A few months after the accident, when I was still in the "impossible to face life again" frame of mind, a letter arrived from LifeSource. I did not open it right away, because I didn't want any more reminders. When I finally did, the envelope contained a letter describing all the people whose lives had been saved or incredibly enhanced by Rachel's donations. The most powerful news was that Rachel's heart was now beating inside a young girl, just a few years younger than Rachel, who also deeply loved animals.
Rachel had a heart so big it could hold every living thing within miles, and now that unstoppable force was giving life to another young girl. Reading and re-reading this letter began to melt the ice that had frozen over my own heart. Rachel's donation of life was beginning to give me my life back. Rachel was our only child and we would never have her back — but her gift helped us come back to living.
Minnesota needs more registered donors
LifeSource, the nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in Minnesota, leads public education programs that provide information to help people in our communities make an informed decision about donation. These initiatives include high-school and driver's education, community outreach, events and media relations. As a result of these activities and our culture of generosity and civic stewardship, 60 percent of Minnesotans are registered donors, compared to the national average of 42 percent.
LifeSource, the nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through organ and tissue donation in Minnesota, leads public education programs that provide information to help people in our communities make an informed decision about donation. These initiatives include high-school and driver's education, community outreach, events and media relations. As a result of these activities and our culture of generosity and civic stewardship, 60 percent of Minnesotans are registered donors, compared to the national average of 42 percent.
But we can do more. While six in 10 Minnesotans have joined the state donor registry, we are far from the top. In fact, in the Upper Northwest more than 70 percent of adults are registered as donors in four states: Alaska, Montana, Washington and Oregon. With more education about donation, we can increase the number of registered donors in our state — saving more lives and restoring more shattered families as a result.
"You and $2" can save lives
In 2011, the state's legislators unanimously passed a law to ensure that resources are available to support education about organ, tissue and eye donation. Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, drivers can contribute $2 when they apply for or renew their driver's licenses or ID cards. LifeSource and the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety collaborated with the House, Senate and governor's office on the requirements and passage of HF 808/SF 892. Additionally, dedicated individuals who have been impacted by donation and transplantation shared their personal experiences with elected officials.
In 2011, the state's legislators unanimously passed a law to ensure that resources are available to support education about organ, tissue and eye donation. Beginning Jan. 1, 2012, drivers can contribute $2 when they apply for or renew their driver's licenses or ID cards. LifeSource and the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety collaborated with the House, Senate and governor's office on the requirements and passage of HF 808/SF 892. Additionally, dedicated individuals who have been impacted by donation and transplantation shared their personal experiences with elected officials.
Known as "You and $2," the program provides Minnesotans the opportunity to support organ and tissue donation and was modeled after successful programs in other states. Our hope is that "You and $2" will increase community support for donation and save more lives.
Make the decision to donate life
About a week after Rachel's death, a letter arrived from the Department of Vehicle Services. We tore it open to find Rachel's new driver's license. There on the front, in all capital letters, was the word DONOR — Rachel had registered when she renewed her license the week before. Knowing that these were her wishes — to donate life — made such a big difference to us.
About a week after Rachel's death, a letter arrived from the Department of Vehicle Services. We tore it open to find Rachel's new driver's license. There on the front, in all capital letters, was the word DONOR — Rachel had registered when she renewed her license the week before. Knowing that these were her wishes — to donate life — made such a big difference to us.
So please, the next time you renew your license, say, "yes and yes!" First, check the box and tell the world you want to be a donor. Second, please take the opportunity to contribute $2 to support education that will increase donations throughout the state. It just takes you to save lives.
Mark Ritchie is Minnesota's secretary of state. He is a member of the LifeSource board of directors.
Reprinted with permission of Minnpost.com and Mark Ritchie
