Donate Life
Every year in April, we recognize individuals who give the gift of life through organ, tissue, and eye donation. April is National Donate Life Month, and this year Midland Memorial Hospital will host its 3rd Annual Donate Life Event on Friday, April 14 recognizing individuals who have made the lifesaving decision to donate. On this day, we will raise the Donate Life Flag and have a butterfly release in honor of our donors. Friday, April 14 is National Donate Life Blue Green Day, and we encourage the community to wear blue and green to show support of the donate life message to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
To register to become an organ or tissue donor or to get more information, visit donatelifetexas.org. Donate Life Texas is a non-profit organization and the official registry for Texas. Approximately 17 people die every day because an organ they desperately need is not available in time, and every 9 minutes another person is added to the wait list. Just one donor can save as many as 8 lives. In 2022 Midland County had 7 organ donors and 17 tissue donors. The organ donations resulted in 19 organ recipients who now have a new chance at life! This is an amazing accomplishment. At Midland Memorial Hospital, every donor is recognized for their life-saving donation. When a donor is taken for the organ recovery process, staff line the hallways in an Honor Walk to show support as the patient is transported.
In addition to registering to become an organ donor, it is important to have the conversation with your family or close friends about your decision to donate. Many times, the decision happens too late at the end of the life and family and close friends have difficulty making those decisions. Having a conversation early makes the transition much easier on all individuals involved. Many donations happen after an individual is deceased, but there are many donations made from live donors.
So, this week we encourage you to wear your blue and green colors to spread the message of the importance in registering to become a donor. The decision to register could be the most important decision you make in the life of someone in need of donation.