Over 114,000 Americans are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Each year, that number on the waiting list continues to grow much larger than the number of donors.  Nearly 500 of those people live right here in Nebraska, reports Extension Educator Susan Harris. Statistically, 50 of them will die without receiving their needed life-saving procedure.
    Even though 95 percent of adults in the United States support organ donation, only 54 percent actually sign up to do it, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    Registering to donate organs is a quick and easy thing to do, yet many of us just have not taken the time to do so. Anyone age 16 or over can consent to be a donor by simply choosing the option when getting his or her driver’s license. Those who have not done that but wish to become an organ, tissue, and/or eye donor may visit the Nebraska Organ Recovery website at NEdonation.org.  One may also change a status of “registered” to “non-registered”, if so desired.
    If you have been on the fence regarding organ donation, or if you are a bit fearful of the process and legality/moral issues, rest assured that today’s laws and procedures create a respectful, ethical flow of events before and after death.
    Under federal law, all organs recovered for transplant from deceased donors in our country have tight control to ensure equal access without any group or person having an unfair advantage. Individuals with millions of dollars have their place on the waiting list the same as anyone else.

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