Thirteen years ago, as Tom Jorgensen laid in a coma awaiting a liver transplant, the doctors told his family he had 12 hours to live.

Wednesday, clearly full of more life then ever before, 64-year-old Jorgensen spoke in 102 Hamilton Hall about his experience to an audience of nearly 30. An eight-year member and currently the chairman of the Iowa Donor Network, he now travels the country educating others on the importance of donation.

“All the statistics mean nothing until it happens to you or someone you know and love,” Jorgensen said. “People need to be aware of organ donation and really consider it, because there isn’t a more valuable gift that can be given.”

Meg Morris, member of the Iowa Donor Network, spoke about the shocking statistics of transplants in the United States.

“There are near 80,000 people waiting for transplants nationwide,” Morris said. “When you look at the actual number of surgeries being performed, it is a very small percentage, only about 23,000 out of that 80,000 in the year 2000.”

What most people are unaware of, Morris said, is that every 13 minutes another name is added to the National Organ Transplant list.

After Morris spoke, Jorgensen discussed the more personal side of organ donorship and transplants.

“Not only is it a physical process, but a psychological, emotional and spiritual experience for everyone involved,” Jorgensen said. “Someone lives and someone dies – it’s not easy for anyone to deal with.”

Jorgensen has come up with five vital things for anyone’s survival in this kind of situation, things that he believes have kept him alive and strong.

“I was supposed to die, so why am I alive today? My attitude, others, faith, my sense of humor and health,” he said. “Anyone can have these things, but without a donor I would not be here today; it is as simple as that.”

A positive outlook on life has kept him going, Jorgensen said.

“It is not the length of life, it is the width and breath,” he stressed.

Overall, Jorgensen said he just wanted to make others aware of the gift of transplants and donorship.

“My survival isn’t the real miracle – donorship is.”