SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias highlighted the need for organ and tissue donation during National Donate Life Month announcing the launch of a new ad campaign to encourage more sign ups. Currently, more than 7.5 million state residents are registered with the Illinois’ Organ and Tissue Donor Registry with more than 2,000 transplants taking place each year. Yet, approximately 4,000 people remain on the transplant waiting list, and about 300 die waiting for a transplant every year. To become a donor visit LifeGoesOn.com.
“We launched a public awareness campaign focusing on the critical need for organ donors and to encourage people to register, especially in communities of color where the need for some organs is the greatest but registration rates are the lowest,” Giannoulias said. “We’ve found that the more people know about organ donation, its benefits and the impact that it has on lives, the more likely they will become donors. A single donor can save or improve the lives of up to 25 people.”
