Tag Archives: Organ Donation

19 Mar

With many of us staying home and following the CDC guidelines we thought it would be helpful to talk about some ways you can still help us honor donors, recipients, and their families and caregivers this April.

Go live on social media!
- Take this opportunity to tell your friends and family the importance of Donate Life month and what April means to you. Encourage them to talk to their families and register their decision at donateLIFEcalifornia.org.
- Are you musically talented? Play a song on your Instagram or Facebook feed and link the video to our website where your social media community can register as an organ, eye and tissue donors.
Dress up on Friday, April 17th for National Blue & Green Day

- You can still participate by dressing up with your family and/or pets and post the picture to our social media pages:
  - Facebook: @DonateLifeCalifornia
  - Instagram: @DonateLifeCalifornia
  - Twitter: @DonateLifeCA
    - Check out the photo contest by Donate Life America as well.
Participate in the virtual Donate Life Run/Walk on April 25th
- Go to www.donateliferunwalk.org to learn how you can participate in your local community.
Order your own swag!
- Donate Life America has downloadable resources to make sure you are ready to celebrate. Check out this site for more information: https://www.donatelife.net/NDLM/
National Pediatric Transplant Week is April 19-25
- Thank our medical community by sending a message to the healthcare professionals in your life or make a shout out on social media.

04 Mar

By
Lacey Wood

in
Frequently Asked Questions

Age Is Not A Reason To Remove Yourself From The Registry

When thinking about why someone may remove themselves from the registry, age is often a topic of discussion. Donate Life California gets numerous calls of Californians thinking they are too old to donate. The truth is, don’t rule yourself out! Every person is different and because of this we have had organ donors at the age of 93 and older become donors. Let the medical professionals at that time determine if you would be a suitable donor.

Not Satisfied? Meet Carlton

Carlton lived in Texas, a retired teacher and devoted father. His friends and family would describe him as a remarkable person who never stopped teaching his family about the many wonders of the world. Just nine days shy of his 93rd birthday, he became an organ donor. Carlton’s wife and children made the decision to donate Carlton’s liver following his death from a brain hemorrhage.

Thanks to that decision, a 69-year-old woman suffering from end-stage liver disease is alive. Carlton is the perfect example that age is no barrier to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Think about Carlton next time you are considering your options and reflect on how important it is to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor regardless of age. To register today or check your registry status go to: www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or you can call our hotline at 1-866-797-2366.

22 Jan

By
Lacey Wood

in
Frequently Asked Questions

Talk To Your Family: The Decision To Donate Does Not Go Away

The decision to be an organ and tissue donor does not go away. If you are not registered or remove yourself from the Donate Life California Donor Registry, the decision is left to your family. This is why it is so important to have the conversation about your wishes with them. Although this conversation can be difficult, it could give your family comfort in knowing what you would have wanted.

Here are some ideas on how to approach the conversation using common situations:

I just went to the doctor and I need to talk to you about what I would want if something were to happen to me.
After watching that movie and seeing what a beautiful memorial they had, I really want to talk to you about what I would want.
Did you know that one person can save eight lives as an organ donor? What do you think about being a donor?
Have you gone to the DMV recently? I saw the question they asked about being and organ or tissue donor and I wanted to talk to you about my decision.
I know you don’t want to think about anything happening to me, but I feel like it is important for you to know what I would want if I wasn’t here to make these decisions.

Here are some great resources for a living will or advanced care directive:

National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, https://www.nhpco.org/patients-and-caregivers/
Mayo Clinic Guide for Living Wills and Advanced Care Directives, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303

Now, if you are registered on the Donate Life California Donor Registry, the organ procurement organization staff who would approach your family is able to search the registry. With that search, a Document of Gift is generated from the registry that explains the legally binding decision of what your wishes are. This document also includes any specific organs or tissues that you may not want to donate. If you are wondering how to make these limitations, you can go to www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org and click on “Your Registration” and then “Update Donor Profile Page”. You can then be specific in what you do or do not want to donate.Once you have had that conversation with your family and you wish to register, go to https://register.donatelifecalifornia.org/register.