April is National Donate Life Month

April is designated National Donate Life Month. During this time LifeLink® of Georgia, the local organ procurement organization, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the transplant community honor and pay tribute to the generosity of organ donors and their families.

National Donate Life Month inspires individuals to designate their donation decision by signing up on the state donor registry or signing a family notification card. In addition, LifeLink® schedules and promotes multiple events to highlight the critical organ shortage in the United States. Currently more than 98,000 people are listed for an organ transplant nationwide; in Georgia over 2,200 of our family members, friends, and colleagues await their Gift of Life.

Sherrell Gay, wife and mother of three, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy when she was only 38. She endured 7 ½ years with an enlarged heart before receiving a heart transplant. "My new heart literally pumped life into my tired body and has inspired me to be the best I can be...keeping my gift going. Without my transplant, I would not have seen my children become successful adults," said Sherrell. Since her transplant, she has climbed Stone Mountain, won a bronze medal in the U.S. Transplant Games, among other great achievements that wouldn't have been possible without the generous gift of organ donation. Today, Sherrell helps to educate Georgians about organ and tissue donation through LifeLink's volunteer program; she also is a mentor with the Georgia Transplant Foundation. "My donor and his family are never out of my mind. I think of them every day and want to honor my donor's memory and help his legacy live on," she added.

"Each year we focus on families and organizations to help LifeLink® inform Georgians about organ and tissue donation," said Kathleen Lilly, Executive Director of LifeLink® of Georgia. "During National Donate Life Month and every month, we share vital information about organ and tissue donation throughout the state. I encourage every Georgian to learn the facts about organ and tissue donation and commit to saving lives," she added.

You can become an organ, tissue, and eye donor by signing up on the Georgia donor registry at your local driver license office; or by signing a family notification card. For more information about organ and tissue donation contact Tracy Gay, Public Relations Specialist, at 800-544-6667 or visit www.lifelinkfound.org.