Ohioans Unite To Save Lives

 

With more than 3,000 Ohioans waiting today for a lifesaving organ transplant, the need for more registered organ, eye and tissue donors is a serious health concern. To educate and unite Ohioans around the solution, Donate Life Ohio, a coalition of the state’s organ, eye and tissue recovery agencies, will host “Don’t Wait, Save 8” on October 8 – Ohio’s online donation registration drive encouraging citizens to register as organ, eye and tissue donors.

The vast majority of the five million people in Ohio who have registered their decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor have done so during a visit to the BMV. The “Don’t Wait, Save 8” message encourages Ohioans to take action and register their decision to save lives immediately online instead of waiting until their next visit to the BMV. This one-day virtual organ, eye and tissue donation registration drive also aims to inspire conversations about the impact donation can have on family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, their community and fellow Ohioans.

The inspiration for the date came from important facts about organ donation:

  • 10 – Every 10 minutes, someone is added to the national transplant waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant.
  • 8 – One organ donor can save up to eight lives.

“Don’t Wait, Save 8” is a collaboration of Donate Life Ohio and The Second Chance Trust Fund, established to support projects that bring awareness about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation throughout Ohio. The Second Chance Trust Fund is managed by the Ohio Department of Health and is funded by Ohioans who donate $1 to organ, eye and tissue donor awareness while at the BMV.

“Don’t Wait, Save 8 is Ohio’s statewide registration effort designed to inspire action, awareness, unity and momentum on one special day in the effort to save lives through donation,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Together, we can make a difference for those in need of a lifesaving organ, including fellow Ohioans waiting for a second chance at life.”Anyone can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor regardless of age or health, and a social media toolkit is available to organizations and individuals interested in advocating to spread the word.

In April 2021, Governor DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine recorded a public service announcement encouraging all Ohioans to register as donors. Their daughter Becky was a tissue and cornea donor in 1993 and healed countless others through her decision to be a donor.

Make the decision to become a registered donor –  and then share this decision with your family and join citizens across the state to save and heal lives on October 8 by signing up at www.registerme.org/dontwait.

Stories

The stories of our donor and recipient families are powerful, moving celebrations of life, hope, and love that get to the heart of why we do what we do, and the difference we can all make. Lifebanc believes that anyone can be a hero – and we see it every day in the generous decisions of people and families who choose and support organ and tissue donation. We’d like you to meet some of these heroes, and some of the Northeast Ohio neighbors they are helping.

See All Stories

Luke

Luke

A champion, warrior and bravest of all. See Luke's Story
Ryan

Ryan

Donating to a stranger ensured his mom received a lifesaving transplant. See Ryan's Story
P.J.

P.J.

Standing on his own two feet is an amazing accomplishment. See P.J.'s Story

Our mission is to heal & save lives, and despite the circumstances, our team continues to make every effort to ensure fulfillment of our mission.

All donation and transplantation work will continue as usual.

Programming, in-person meetings and external events are on-hold until further notice.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will deliver updates via social media, our website, and email communications as things progress.

Thank you for your continued support of Lifebanc and our community.