National Organ Donor Day

National Organ Donor Day is observed every year on the 14th of February. Valentine’s Day may have a very special meaning to you if you need an organ transplant to survive. This important day focuses on organs, tissues, marrow, platelets and blood. The day is supported by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services as well as numerous nonprofit health groups.  

Organ donation means to donate an organ to a person who needs a transplant. This special day was chosen for people to show their compassion and love for people waiting for organ transplants. By signing up for an organ donation you express your love for humanity. You can save several people's lives or heal lives with your eye and tissue donation. 

You can donate your organs or tissue after you die. The waiting list in the United States for an organ such as a liver, from a deceased person is long.  In some cases, a live donor is necessary to save a person’s life. The success rate for the transplant may be higher and also there is a shorter waiting time when a live donor is an option. 

Live liver donations are possible since our livers have a remarkable ability to regenerate. This means that if you donate part of your liver, the rest grows back to most of its original size within weeks. Our liver is unique and it is one of the few organs that can regenerate. 

There are several misconceptions when it comes to organ donations. For example, certain illnesses or physical defects will prevent you from being a donor. This is with few exceptions false.

Liver failure can be caused by a number of conditions such as liver cancer, hepatitis and cirrhosis. Norm T. is a relative  who needs a liver transplant. Her only option to survive from a disease is to find a living liver donor. A portion of a liver from a matching donor can replace her diseased liver. Livers, as mentioned above, have an ability to regrow to their normal size. This means that both the donor and Norma would regrow their liver to their normal size. 

Norma has shown a remarkable brave spirit in her long journey to fight her disease. We are hopeful that a suitable match will be found so that she can return to her normal life. 

If you are interested in becoming living donors to help save Norma’s life, please visit UTCLivingDonor.com. 

Becoming a donor is the ultimate act of love for fellow humans in need. Please share this post to enhance the chances of finding a living liver donor for our relative.