Local religious organizations unite to educate Georgians about organ, tissue and eye donation

Georgia’s religious organizations will unite during the month of November to commemorate the annual Share Your Life celebration to increase awareness about the critical need for organ, tissue and eye donation. Congregations and clergy of various faiths will unite for this special occasion that involves the development and distribution of informational packets and religious education lessons to key religious denomination leaders across the state.

“Reaching faith leaders is key to reaching the larger religious community, and we hope that all leaders will discuss the important message of organ donation with their congregations,” said Joe Robb, chairperson of the Georgia Coalition on Donation. “All major religions approve of donation and consider it an act of charity.”

Currently, more than 85,000 people are on the national waiting list for organ transplants. Thousands more need tissue or corneal transplants to dramatically improve their quality of life or even restore sight. Nearly 17 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant because demand continues to exceed supply.

“We know that aside from medical professionals, most people seek advice about donation from their clergy members,” said Robb. “The month of November is a special time for clergy and congregations to talk about donation. It is our hope that faith leaders will use Share Your Life as an opportunity to discuss their faiths’ support of donation and encourage their congregations to discuss organ, tissue and eye donation with their families.”

A CNN/USA Today Gallup poll found that fewer than 10 percent of people in the United States know their religion has doctrines regarding organ, tissue and eye donation.

The Georgia Coalition on Donation has already distributed more than 3,500 materials to religious organizations across Georgia that plan to participate in Share Your Life. Several ways that religious organizations and clergy can take part in Share Your Life include:

á Feature organ and tissue donation as part of a sermon to members during the month of November.

á Include an announcement in the bulletin or newsletter about donation.

á Arrange for congregation members who are donor families, transplant recipients or health-care providers to share a brief message with the congregation.

á Provide donor cards and information to members.

á Include information about donation on outdoor signage or marquee.

á Encourage adult and youth education leaders to use the provided lessons and start a discussion on donation.

The Georgia Coalition on Donation is dedicated to raising awareness among Georgians about the need to have a family discussion about organ, tissue and eye donation. The Georgia Coalition is made up of transplant centers, organ and tissue procurement organizations and other health organizations dedicated to increasing the number of organs and tissues available for transplantation.

For more information about donation, the Georgia Coalition on Donation, or the Share Your Life celebration, call 866-57-SHARE or visit shareyourlife.org.