The need for organ donors has increased significantly over the years. This increase in demand is due to advances in transplant technology, which are increasing the number of people with end-stage organ failure and increasing the number of people eligible for organ transplants. One of the biggest obstacles to organ transplantation is getting people to register as organ donors before they experience tragedy.

Find out why you should become an organ donor.

1. Organ donation is an opportunity to help others. People on long-term waiting lists usually have an end-organ disease that has a significant impact on their quality of life and may be nearing the end of life. Organ donation can be a life-changing event for these people. It also helps families cope with grief and loss knowing that a loved one is helping to save another's life.

2. Long waiting lists are always long. Every day, around 107,000 people from all over the country line up to receive the organ.

3. Waiting for the body to die. In the United States, 17 people die each day waiting for a transplant.

4. World needs more organ donors. In the USA alone, about 350 people are waiting to sign up. Only about 58% of people are registered organ donors. In 2020, 72 people who died in the world donated organs and received 214 organ transplants.

5. An organ donor can help many people. One organ donor can save eight lives.

6. A living donor fills an important need. A living donor can donate part of a kidney or liver to a friend or relative, or even altruistically, and continue a normal life with few or no restrictions. People waiting for a kidney transplant make up more than 80% of people on the organ list, and people waiting for a liver transplant make up about 12%.

7. Organ donation can be a rewarding experience. Knowing that a loved one is saving another's life helps families cope with grief and loss.

8. There is no age limit for donations. Many organs may still be eligible for organ donation if they are not healthy. Transplant surgeons evaluate organs and determine suitability on a case-by-case basis.

9. Organ donation is prohibited due to certain diseases. Certain organs may be considered unsuitable for transplant, while other tissues and organs may be fine. Simply put, disease in one organ prevents the donation of another organ.

10. Many religions support organ donation. This includes Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and several sects of Judaism that see Judaism as the ultimate act of love and generosity toward others.