Back in 2017, the two met and a father was able to hear his daughter’s heartbeat one more time. As a father, I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. But one of my next guests knows that feeling all too well. Yet when his daughter lost her life, a young man was able to extend his, thanks to a heart transplant.
Not long ago, Bill’s daughter Abbey passed away. But thanks to a heart transplant, she saved the life of Loumouth Jack Jr. Today they told their emotional story to Steve.
For more information on organ donation and how you can save a life, visit: www.registerme.org to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
Organ Donors Save Lives:
- A single organ donor can save as many as eight lives.
- More than 114,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for lifesaving organ transplants.
The Need is Great:
- Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the waiting list.
- 22 people die each day because the organ, or organs, they need are not donated on time.
- 3-5 years is the average waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor.
- Nearly 60% of the national transplant waiting list are from multicultural communities.
- 83% of patients waiting on a life-saving transplant are in need of a kidney.*
- 12% of patients waiting are in need of a liver.*
- Thousands more need tissue or corneal transplants to restore their health, such as mobility or sight.
- More than 84,000 corneal transplants help to restore sight each year.
- More than 1.75 million tissue transplants heal lives each year.
* Living donation is an option for these patients. Interested in becoming a living donor to save a life? Please visit the nearest transplant facility to learn more about their living donation programs and options.
Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Does registering as a donor change my patient care?
A: No. Doctors work hard to save the patient’s life, but sometimes there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function. The patient is declared clinically and legally dead. Only then is organ donation an option.
Q: Will I be able to have an open casket funeral if I donate?
A: An open casket funeral is possible for organ, eye and tissue donors.
Q: Does my religion support organ, eye, and tissue donation?
A: All major religions support donation as a final act of compassion and generosity.
Q: Does my social or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive an organ?
A: A national system matches available organs from the donor with people on the waiting list based on blood type, body size, how sick they are, donor distance, tissue type and time on the list. Race, income, gender, celebrity, and social status are never considered.
Q: Why register your decision to be a donor?
A: You can save up to 8 lives and heal the lives of more than 75 people. Your registration serves as a symbol of hope to patients waiting, and sharing it with your family lets them know your decision.
