How to Improve Organ Donation Rates

In the United States, a single organ donor may provide organs for up to eight people. Genetic defects and injuries make organ donation a constant need. You can determine if you will donate organs as well as tissues when you become a registered organ donor. You can encourage family members, friends and strangers to become organ donors when you become knowledgeable about the registration process and its benefits. If others refuse to discuss organ donation with you, respect their wishes. Promoting organ donation can increase donation rates and inform people about their donation options.

Instructions

Promote Organ Donation at Work or School

• 1

  Speak to your supervisors or health organizations at your work or school to ask about placing posters related to organ donation around your office or campus. Include details on your posters about organ donation, like the fact that 18 people die each day because of organ shortages.

• 2

  Create fliers about organ donation or download and print fliers and hand-outs from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Organ Donation website. Ask if it is acceptable to pass these documents out around your office or school. Although most adults know what organ donation is, less than a third know how to register in their states, according to the American Marketing Association Saves Lives campaign. Create a flier that addresses this issue to hand out.

• 3

  Hold events related to organ donation. Contact newspapers and other media sources to find out about organ donor recipients who may be willing to speak about their experiences. You may also contact surgeons or spokespersons for the American Red Cross to speak about organ donation at your place of employment or school.

• 4

  Hold a sign-up event where people can register with their state's organ donor registry with the assistance of volunteers online.

Promote Organ Donation to Family and Friends

• 5

  Speak with family members and friends about organ donation. Address any questions they may have and offer to research any issues you do not know. Explain how you registered and what is important to you about donation, if you are already registered.

• 6

  Send links to web pages about organ donation to family members and friends through email or social networking sites. The American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Organ Donation web page and Donate Life web page all contain articles and information about organ donation.

• 7

  Assist family members and friends when they sign up for their state's organ donor registry. Join organ procurement organizations with your family members and friends to encourage organ donation. These organizations are responsible for community outreach programs that promote organ donation, such as school programs or advertising campaigns.