News

Signs Proclamation to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Lifesaving Organ Donation

Trenton, NJ - Creating greater public awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation, Governor Chris Christie today signed a proclamation designating April as Donate Life Month in New Jersey. Last year, Governor Christie took action to increase donor registration by signing legislation requiring the State to disseminate organ and tissue donation information to all State employees reminding them of the need for organ donors. In addition, the law calls on the Department of Treasury to encourage all businesses with contracts with the State to notify their employees of organ donation options through information and materials or through an awareness program.

"Becoming an organ donor is one simple act that has the ability to transform and save many lives," said Governor Christie, who is a registered donor. "As the need for transplants continues to increase - with one name added to the waiting list every 18 minutes - so does the need for donors. That's why Donate Life Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the critical importance of registering to become an organ donor now. Doing so can have the most profound impact - giving someone a second chance at a healthy life while bringing joy to family members."

Currently, there are 110 million registered donors in the United States, including 2.3 million registered donors from New Jersey. Nationally, there are more than 117,800 people waiting to receive a life-saving organ transplant. Another name is added to the waiting list every 18 minutes. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 79 people will receive an organ transplant each day. Last year alone, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible; another 1 million received cornea and other life-saving tissue transplants.

Read the full release on the Governor's Office website:
http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552013/approved/20130408a.html