Each year, National Donate Life Month is celebrated in April, a special time to focus attention on organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks work with Donate Life America to share the importance of registering one’s decision to be a donor, honor deceased and living donors, and celebrate the lifesaving and healing gift of transplantation.
“This April, we remind everyone that they can help save a life. Registering your decision to be an organ donor takes less than a minute and gives hope to more than 1,000 people in Kentucky waiting for a lifesaving transplant. The decision to register is the beginning of a story that may bring life and healing to more than 75 people, their families and their communities,” said Daviess County Circuit Court Clerk Jennifer Besecker.
To illustrate the message of donation, Donate Life America creates unique artwork for each National Donate Life Month. The 2019 art was inspired by bicycles and the phrase, “Life is a beautiful ride.” Bicycles serve as a symbol of progress, renewal and the moving circle of life. The bicycle theme and art will be incorporated into celebrations and events across the country during April.
“We each carry the potential to help make LIFE a beautiful ride for ourselves, and then for others by registering as a donor, considering living donation, being a caregiver and championing the Donate Life cause,” Besecker said.
This year, National Donate Life Blue & Green Day is on April 12. On this special day, the public is encouraged to wear the bright blue and green Donate Life colors, hold local events, and partner with local restaurants, media and community organizations to spread awareness about donation and transplantation. Everyone is invited to take part in the national photo contest through the Donate Life America Facebook page (facebook.com/DonateLife).
“We invite Daviess County residents to share their Gift of Life story,” Besecker said. “If you or a family member or friend are waiting for a transplant, or have received the gift of life, please contact us. We also honor donor family members or friends and invite you to share your loved one’s heroic legacy. We know there are other families who have lost a loved one on the waiting list, because an organ did not come in time. Tragically, 22 people die waiting each day. We invite all Gift of Life Stories to be shared as we inspire everyone to register as donors to offer hope and life.”
Everyone is invited to join the Registry when they renew their driver’s license at their Circuit Clerk’s office or visit www.donatelifeky.org. Everyone is welcome, there are no medical or age limits to joining the Registry. There are currently 114,000 Americans in need of a lifesaving organ transplant today. A new name is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes.
