April Is 'Donate Life' Month

SIOUX FALLS, SD - There are 80 million registered organ donors in the United States. While it's a huge number, it's still not enough to answer the need. April is National Donate Life Month. Since 2003, medical professionals have used the month of April to raise awareness.

In South Dakota alone, there are more than 200 people who need a kidney or pancreas transplant. Nationally, the need is even more dramatic.

One person is added to the organ list every 13 minutes. Every day 16 people die waiting for an organ which is why it's important to be an organ donor.

"If just 10% of people were eligible donors and listed it on their driver's license, there would be enough donors to eliminate the transplant list all together in one year so just being a donor on your driver's license can make a huge impact," Larry Burris, M.D. with Sanford Transplant Center, said.

If you live in the South Dakota, the state does not require family consent to carry out your decision to be an organ, eye or tissue donor.

The simplest way to become a donor is by requesting it when you renew or get a driver's license.

For more information you can visit Donate Life's Web site.