Currently, there are more than 119,000 people in the United States in need of an organ donation. Everyday more and more people get added to this list and the need for donors becomes greater. With so many people in need of a donation and not enough donors, about 18 people die every day from not receiving an organ. There is something that we all can do to help those that are in need, become an organ donor.

Recently, Iowa State’s Public Relation Student Society of America held an event bring awareness to students and faculty about becoming an organ donor. This was an excellent idea to help bring awareness to people on what it means to be an organ donor and to encourage ISU students to become one.

The major reason why one should consider becoming an organ donor is that you get the chance to help save someone’s life. Imagine that a very close family member was in need of an organ. It is a constant waiting game of “will there be an organ available?” If an organ becomes available, you are most likely going to be thankful for someone giving your loved one a chance in living a longer life. This scenario is happening to every family out there that is waiting for someone that they love to get a donated organ or tissue.

Many people stray away from the idea of organ donation because they believe that they are not healthy enough to have an organ worth donating. This should not stop people from signing up as donors. Depending on the situation, medical personal are most likely to find something that can be of use and if not there was at least the chance that some type of organ may have been used.

Say you were in a fatal accident and damage was only done to your head. All of your other organs are still in good order. By being an organ donor, those organs can be used to help someone else instead of being disposed. Accidents can never be predicated, but by having made the choice to become an organ donor can cover all of your bases if something unfortunate would happen.

Many worry that by donating an organ it will cost them and their family much money. Any costs having to deal with the recovery and transferring process are not placed onto the family of the donor. The only costs would be those accumulated before death.

Also, just because you are an organ donor does not mean that health professionals will take that into consideration if there is an effort to save your life. Your life comes before the idea that you are an organ donor. This can be reassuring to those that feel that their organ donor status will come before anything else.

Maybe the whole idea of donating an organ still freaks you out, but you still want to help save lives. A perfect way to do this is by donating blood. A pint of blood can save up to three different lives. This still gives you the satisfaction of helping someone in need, but not through an organ.

No matter what, I strongly urge you to consider the idea of signing up to become an organ donor. By doing so, you are giving people a chance to keep on living and enjoying their life to the fullest potential. Signing it up is easy and can be done online at organdonor.gov or when you go to renew your driver’s license. Together we can help those who are in desperate need of our help.