April marks Donate Life Month, a crucial time to shed light on the profound impact of organ and tissue donation.
Advocacy Efforts to Encourage Donations are Underway
Madelyn Clark, Partner Relations Coordinator with the Iowa Donor Network, emphasizes the group’s ongoing efforts in education and advocacy for organ donations.
“This month is a busy but incredibly rewarding time. It’s filled with opportunities to connect with communities and raise awareness. We’re holding flag-raising ceremonies at various agencies across the state of Iowa. Many staff and community members share their personal stories which create a powerful connection to the cause. We’re also conducting lunch and learns, both for healthcare professionals and the general public, to offer a more informal setting to discuss donation over a meal. This fosters engagement and allows us to answer donation questions.”
Common Myths About Organ Donation
Clark clarifies that organ donation isn’t solely about deceased donors.
“Living organ donation is becoming more widespread. The best example of this is when someone donates a kidney to another person, whether family member, friend or stranger. What people are more familiar with is organ donation that occurs after a person has passed away.”
Many people think only about major organs for donation. Clark notes, in many situations, the donation is more about tissues.
“In my experience, tissue and cornea donation are the primary opportunities. Often underestimated, tissue donation is incredibly impactful. A single donor can potentially benefit between 50 to 300 individuals through the gift of bone, skin, tendons, valves, and veins – truly life-saving and life-enhancing gifts.”
Another prevalent myth is that a cancer diagnosis automatically disqualifies someone from being a donor. Clark emphasizes that this isn’t always the case.
“Depending upon the type of cancer, there’s still a strong possibility of donating organs and tissues. I encourage people to remain on the organ donation registry and allow medical professionals to make the final determination. Personally, I can attest to this, as my mother, despite having metastatic ovarian cancer, was able to give the gift of sight through cornea donation.”
The Iowa Donor Network
The Iowa Donor Network’s commitment extends beyond the donation process itself, offering incredible follow-up support for donor families. Clark, speaking from her own experience as a donor family member, highlights a partnership that provides free one-on-one grief counseling for an entire year.
“This support isn’t limited to the immediate aftermath of loss; families can access it whenever they feel ready, even years later. Recognizing that grief has no timeline is a testament to the compassionate approach of the Iowa Donor Network.”
The Need for Organ and Tissue Donation Remains Critical
Clark shared sobering statistics — over 575 individuals in Iowa alone are currently awaiting a life-saving transplant.
“These are our family, neighbors, and friends. Nationwide, the number of people on the waiting list for organ donation swells to over 103,000. Perhaps even more startling is the fact that approximately 17 people die each day while waiting for a transplant. Adding to this urgency, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list every eight minutes. This stark reality underscores the vital importance of becoming a registered donor.”
Becoming an Organ Donor
Clark is quick to point out that becoming an organ donor is a simple yet powerful decision.
“There are four convenient ways to register as an organ donor. First, when obtaining or renewing your driver’s license. Second, when you go online at iowadonornetwork.org and sign up. Third, through informational pamphlets available at healthcare partners and agencies. Finally, through Logan’s Law which was enacted in 2019. The law is named after a young organ and tissue donor. The law allows individuals to register as donors when obtaining hunting, fishing, or fur harvesting licenses through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Logan’s Law has already had a significant impact, with nearly a thousand people registering as organ donors in the first three months after its enactment.”
An Organ Donor is a Super Hero!
Very rarely in life are we given the opportunity to save another. Clark’s message is a powerful one.
“Each of us can be a super hero by giving the gift of life. Say ‘yes’ to donation and register today at iowadonornetwork.org.”
