Georgia Launches New Online Organ and Tissue Donor Registry

By launching an on-line organ and tissue donor registry the state of Georgia joins a growing number of U.S. states and other jurisdictions that have also taken this initiative to help increase the rate of organ donation. To find out how to register in your state go to ShareYourLife.org

Savannah Tribune

LifeLink of Georgia, the non-profit organ recovery agency, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Driver Services and Donate Life Georgia, a non-profit coalition of the state’s organ, tissue and eye donation and transplantation programs and other organizations with an interest in organ, tissue and eye donation announce the launch of the State’s new web-based organ and tissue donor registry.

The newly enacted Georgia Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), also known as Senate Bill 405, allows residents to legally designate their wish to save lives as an organ and tissue donor from the comfort of their home by visiting www.donatelifegeorgia. org.

For years, Georgians were required to visit a local driver services office to register as an organ and tissue donor. Registration is still available at the driver services offices but individuals can now also choose to register anywhere that has internet access. Registrations are secure and registered donors will have the opportunity to update their profile or remove themselves from the registry.

“We are thankful to the authors of the Georgia Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act for sponsoring the bill in 2008. It now allows individuals the opportunity to save lives through donation,” said Kathleen Lilly, Sr. Vice President/Executive Director, LifeLink of Georgia. “We also want to thank the Georgia Department of Driver Services for working with LifeLink of Georgia and the donor registry team to facilitate the completion of this important technology.”

Close to 3,000 Georgians are waiting for an organ transplant and hundreds more wait for corneal and tissue transplants which can help restore vision, treat burns and prevent amputations, etc.

To learn more about the Donate Life Georgia Organ Tissue Donor Registry visit http://www.donatelifegeorgia.org or contact Donate Life Georgia at 1-866-57-SHARE (74273).

“You Have the Power to Save Lives – Sign Your Donor Card & Tell Your Loved Ones of Your Decision”

Register to be a donor in Ontario or Download Donor Cards from Trillium Gift of Life Network. NEW for Ontario: recycleMe.org - Learn The Ins & Outs Of Organ And Tissue Donation. Register Today! For other Canadian provinces click here

In the United States, be sure to find out how to register in your state at ShareYourLife.org or Download Donor Cards from OrganDonor.Gov

In Great Britain, register at NHS Organ Donor Register

In Australia, register at Australian Organ Donor Register

Your generosity can save up to eight lives with heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and small intestine transplants. One tissue donor can help up to 100 other people by donating skin, corneas, bone, tendon, ligaments and heart valves

Has your life been saved by an organ transplant? "Pay it forward" and help spread the word about the need for organ donation - In the U.S. another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 11 minutes and 18 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.