National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month.

This year looks different than past years. Most of us are at home and all in-person celebrations have been cancelled. This is not how we all pictured 'celebrating' Donate Life month. However, COVID-19 doesn't take away our ability to celebrate - to honor and thank those who have given the gift of life, received the gift of life and the healthcare workers who are continuing their dedicated work during this time.

The theme for Donate Life Month is Garden of Life. The garden and insects within it serve as symbols of hope, courage and transformed life—all themes found within the donation and transplantation journey. The Donate Life garden depicts an ecosystem of plants, insects, and other components working together to form an interconnected living system. This is true of all the pieces that come together during the transplant journey from the donor to the recipient, healthcare team and caregiver.

A few ways you can still celebrate this year are:

• April 17th is Blue & Green day. Even though you are at home, still pull out your blue and green attire and take a selfie! You can share it with us on Facebook at Transplantation at Mayo Clinic.
• Say 'thank you' to those who have been a part of your transplant journey. From your care team to your donor/donor's family to your caregiver. Donate Life America has some cards you could use but a simple text, call or FaceTime is good too!
• Some of us are at home with kids, and some of us are kids at heart who still enjoy coloring! Donate Life America also has some printable coloring sheets you could hang in your house or windows.
• If you are comfortable, share your story on social media. You can tag Donate Life America (@DonateLife) and Transplantation at Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinicTransplant) or use #nationaldonatelifemonth.
• Change your cover photo, profile picture frame or use the filter effects provided by Donate Life America (instructions and assets under social media section).
• Follow along with LifeSource's 30 day #ShareYourHeart Challenge.

There were nearly 40,000 transplants performed in 2019, which is an all-time high for the United States. Nearly 7,400 of those transplants were living donor transplants, which itself is an new record. While this is something to celebrate and show appreciation for all of those who gave a life-saving gift last year, the need for organ donation is still critical.

One donor can impact up to 85 lives, 75 lives from tissue donation, 8 lives from solid organ and 2 lives from cornea donation. You are able to register to become an organ donor from your home. If you know someone interested in registering, share this with them.

Do you have any suggestions on how to 'celebrate' National Donate Life Month this year? Share them below!

HELPFUL LINKS

• Learn about how you can celebrate National Donate Life Month
• FAQs about living organ donation
• Register to become a living donor
• Learn more about our discussion group at Mayo Clinic Connect