Organ Donor – Lifesaver
Current Status: Organ Donor; Future Goal: Lifesaver
Two little checkboxes.
That’s all it takes to potentially save up to eight lives and enhance over 75 more. Have you checked yours?
I still remember the day I got my first driver’s license. There were so many things to be excited about — the freedom, the independence, the terrible photo that would haunt me for years to come. 😂 When the DMV worker asked if I wanted to be an organ donor, I said yes without hesitation. It seemed like such a small thing at the time.
But that small decision has taken on much more meaning over the years.
A former and beloved co-worker was the recipient of a kidney transplant after her own kidneys began to fail. Her kidneys came from a small child who had passed away. The parents of the child, even in this midst of their devastating grief, gave Helen and her family a life-changing gift. (Helen was very tiny & petite, which made finding a match especially challenging.)
My first husband’s father’s side of the family has a history of polycystic kidney disease- a condition he, his father and one of his two brothers inherited. Our son must remain vigilant since it often develops later in life. Both Alan (my first ex-husband) and his father received life-changing transplants as a result. His brother has dialysis multiple times a week.
Alan’s kidney came from a living donor- the daughter of a friend of his mother, who, after hearing about his condition and the need for a kid, felt compelled to be tested as a potential donor. After prayer and consideration, decided to check to see if she was a match. She and her family didn’t share her intentions to donate until she had cleared every hurdle and was approved as a direct donor match for him, making her kidney donation even more selfless and remarkable.
Six and a half years after he was placed on the transplant list, in June 2021, her life-changing gift gave him a much needed kidney, freeing him from the grueling thrice-weekly, hours long dialysis treatments and all the other challenges that come with a genetic kidney disorder.
Did you know that right now, this very minute, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants? That’s not just a number — that’s 100,000 families sitting by phones, hoping for news that could save their loved one’s life. 100,000 people wondering if they’ll get to see another birthday, walk a child down the aisle, or meet their grandchildren.
And here’s the heartbreaking part — every day, about 17 people die waiting for an organ that never comes.
This “Current Status: Organ Donor; Future Goal: Lifesaver” design isn’t just cute wordplay. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful choices we make are the simplest ones. It’s about acknowledging that while none of us wants to think about our own mortality, we all have the power to leave a legacy of life.
I’m not sharing this to make anyone feel guilty or pressured. Organ donation is a deeply personal choice. But I do hope it might start conversations — maybe with your family around the dinner table, or with friends over coffee. Because those conversations matter. They help us clarify our wishes and ensure our loved ones understand them.
So whether you’re already a registered donor or still considering it, I hope this design speaks to you. It’s available on a variety of products in the shop — perfect for sparking those important conversations or simply reminding yourself of the impact one small decision can make.
What choices are you making today that could become someone else’s miracle tomorrow? Head over to the shop and check out this meaningful design that celebrates the choice to give life!
