Secretary of State Jesse White unveiled a new commercial to kick off organ and tissue donor month Tuesday.
The commercial, which features Brittney and Jarrett Payton, children of former Chicago Bears football player Walter Payton, encourages Illinoisans to sign up and become a donor.
Payton died in November 1999 after battling liver cancer related to a rare disease of the bile duct.
“Before it’s too late, please consider giving someone a second chance at life” was the message of the ad, White said.
With 6.2 million registered Illinoisans for the organ donation program, about 5,000 people in Illinois are on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
Nationally, about 100,000 people are waiting for a transplant and every day 18 people on the waiting list die, according to a news release from the secretary of state’s office.
About 300 people die annually because organs don’t arrive in time.
“(Organs from) one person can improve the quality of life for 25 individuals,” White said.
To register in Illinois go to Donate Life Illinois blog. Also, if you're not from Illinois, be sure to find out how to register in your state at ShareYourLife.org.
“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”
Download Donor Cards from Trillium Gift of Life Network
Download Donor Cards from OrganDonor.Gov
Your generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance another 50 through tissue donation
1 comment:
Thanks Merv, we appreciate the help spreading the word! Happy National Donate Life Month!
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