April is National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month (NDLM)

This month we are reminded to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. Plus this month we remember and celebrate the individuals who have given the gift of life by donating. Please visit the National Donor Memorial at www.donormemorial.org. The physical location is in Richmond VA.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (www.unos.org) there were 32,109 transplants in 2014 and 15,670 donors. There were 28,953 transplants in 2013.

The history of organ transplants can also be found at www.unos.org. Here is what I found:

1954 first successful kidney transplant.

1966 first simultaneous kidney/pancreas transplant.

1967 first successful liver transplant

1968 first successful heart transplant

1981 first successful heart-lung transplant

1986 first successful double lung transplant

1987 first successful intestinal transplant

If you or you know someone needing a transplant please visit the education page at www.unos.org.

Additional, related websites:

National Marrow Donor is www.marrow.org

American Red Cross is www.redcross.org

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services for Organ Donation is www.organdonor.gov