Donor Day is a holiday that celebrates all those people who have helped save people’s lives by donating blood, marrow, tissue, and even organs. It’s a holiday that drives home exactly how amazing and giving the human spirit is because it pays tribute to so many people who have donated of themselves, often to help save the life of someone they’ve never met.
So, how can you celebrate Donor Day? It’s quite easy, and don’t worry because you don’t have to go out and actually find someone who needs an organ. You can take a small step by donating some blood, which is a completely painless process. However, your blood could be instrumental in saving someone’s life because blood transfusions are responsible for saving millions of lives annually.
Finding out where you can donate blood is relatively simple. You can conduct an online search to find out where you can donate to your local area. You could also speak to your doctor, who’ll be able to give you all the information you need. There are also apps available that not only show how many people require a certain blood type at any one time but also organ, tissue, and marrow requirements.
Donor Day is all about being selfless and giving of yourself to save another person’s life. It’s a celebration of everything that’s wonderful about humanity, and a holiday we should all be celebrating.
NATIONAL DONOR DAY TIMELINE
Congress passed the Organ Donor Leave Act, allowing federal employees who serve as living organ or marrow donors to receive paid leave.
For the first time in the United States, the number of living donors exceeded the number of deceased donors.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiated the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative to expand organ donor best practices in the nation’s largest hospitals.
The National Kidney Foundation kicked off its dramatically-named END THE WAIT! campaign with a goal of increasing organ donations.
The first successful full face transplant made medical history at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Spain.
WE’RE CORRECTING 5 REASONS WHY PEOPLE SAY “NO” TO ORGAN DONATION
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I just haven’t given it any thought
If you consider the thousands of people waiting for transplants; your organ donation can keep one person from dying of organ failure every day.
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I’m not supporting the consequences of someone’s negative lifestyle
The truth is that only about 5 percent of those waiting for an organ transplant are drug abusers or alcoholics.
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I have diabetes so I don’t think I can be an organ donor
Here’s the real deal — you can donate organs even if you have diabetes, and some donor recipients have even become donors themselves.
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I don’t have time to sign up
It’s easy to register online, and consider this — if your organs were failing, wouldn’t you want someone to make time for you?
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I think I’m too old to donate
You’re never too old to save someone’s life with an organ donation.
WHY NATIONAL DONOR DAY IS IMPORTANT
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It promotes a different outpouring of love
National Donor Day was chosen as the perfect day for Americans to show their love for people waiting for organ transplants. On this day, the public is encouraged to help the many thousands of organ transplant patients by joining an organ donation registry. Did you know that as an organ donor you can save up to 8 people or heal more than 75 lives with your eye and tissue donation after you die? That’s an amazing way to express your love for humanity.
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It gives you control over your final wish
By joining a donor registry, you declare your intention to donate your organs, eyes or tissue right after you die. Sometimes families don’t always understand why donating organs is important, so once you decide to join a donor registry, discuss the decision with your family to ensure your last wish is honored. It’s also wise to put your wish in writing, instructing your family to provide information and documentation on your medical and social history. Being proactive today wisely prepares your family to follow through on your commitment without undue stress.
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It replaces myths with accurate information
There are currently more people awaiting transplants than in years past. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about becoming a donor or joining a donor registry so it’s important to get the facts. For example, some people believe that certain illnesses or physical defects will keep you from being a donor which, with minor exceptions, is false. Other people think that physicians won’t try hard to save your life if they know you’re a donor, which discounts the number one priority for doctors — saving lives.
NATIONAL DONOR DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | February 14 | Sunday |
| 2022 | February 14 | Monday |
| 2023 | February 14 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | February 14 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | February 14 | Friday |
