LOUISVILLE, Ky. — About two months ago, my friend Huston died. He was only in his mid-20s. While his death was devastating for his family and friends, something stuck out in his obituary — it said that along with being unselfish in life, Huston was unselfish in death, donating his organs to save five other lives.
Five people got to live because Huston chose to be an organ donor. Something he didn’t need anymore gave five people a second chance, and chances are you know someone who was also affected by organ donation. If you watch Wake Up, I know you do.
WHAS11 Meteorologist Kaitlynn Fish's family is one of millions impacted by organ donation.
“If it weren’t for organ donation, my dad wouldn’t have been able to see me graduate high school, college, or be able to see what I do on television every day," Fish said. "Someone selflessly gave the gift of life so that I can call my dad every afternoon.”
More than 1,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant in Kentucky right now, and while 97% of Kentuckians told Donate Life they have a positive view of organ donations, only 59% are actually registered.
So if almost all of Kentucky likes the idea of organ donation, why are just over half signed up? I’m not here to tell you what to do with your body, I’d never do that. I will, however, say that if you like organ donation as a concept and you’re putting off registering, you should know that by the time you go to sleep tonight, 22 people across the country will die waiting for a transplant.
And tomorrow, 22 more people will die. And on and on until more of us decide to be like Huston and choose to make our deaths the reason someone else gets to keep their life.
You can register for organ donation by going to registermeky.org.
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