Pledge to donate life

Toledo Blade: The nation’s organ transplant system broke records across the board in 2015. That’s good news for thousands of critically ill Americans whose lives were saved or improved as a result.

There were 30,973 transplants last year, more than in any prior year and all made possible by the generosity of 9,078 families that donated the organs of deceased relatives and another 5,984 living donors, most of whom provided one of their two kidneys .

The figures on deceased donors reflected increases in numbers from nearly all segments of the population – including 5,973 whites, 1,477 African-Americans, 1,233 Hispanics, and 232 Asians. The numbers represent welcome news, given the growing transplant waiting lists where the hopes of nearly 122,000 people now reside.

One donor can save as many as eight lives and enhance dozens of others. Organ donors provide a priceless gift to humanity. Please consider joining the growing list of Americans who have made the pledge.