LifeSharers another way to donate organs

There is now another way for people to donate their organs when they die – and they can help themselves while helping others.

There used to be just two choices when it came to organ donation – donate or don’t donate. Now there is a third choice – donate to other donors who will return the favor. This choice is available through LifeSharers, the nonprofit national organ circle. Members agree to donate their organs when they die. They also agree to offer their organs first to fellow members, if any member is a suitable match, before making them available to non-members. Everyone is invited to join the organ circle at http://www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN-88. There is no cost to join.

People who join the organ circle increase their chances of getting a transplant if they ever need one. LifeSharers members get preferred access to the organs of other members. As the organ circle expands, their chances of getting a transplant if they ever need one keep going up – if they are a member. This is significant, since most of the people on the national transplant waiting list will die waiting.

LifeSharers members receive a free donor card, letters they can share with family members and doctors and language they can attach to their durable power of attorney for healthcare.

LifeSharers urges everyone to join. “Even people who are already registered organ donors should join,” says Dave Undis, executive director of LifeSharers. “April is National Donate Life Month – a perfect time to do it.”