By Nick McClintock
BLOOMINGTON- Secretary of State Jesse White is continuing his work of getting people to become organ and tissue donors.
April is national Donate Life month and White says every year, around 300 people die on waiting lists for organs. White reiterates that becoming an organ and tissue donor can save or improve the life of up to 25 people. “Right now in Illinois, we have 5.9 million people signed up to become an organ donor.” White says. “We have about 5000 people on the waiting list as we speak, and we lose about 300 each year because organs do not arrive in a timely fashion.”
Earlier this month, White kicked off the state’s organ/tissue donor campaign as part of a statewide effort to encourage registration and awareness at all 138 driver services facilities in the state of Illinois.
White says it’s a lot easier to become an organ and tissue donor than it was when he began in the Secretary of State’s office in 1999. The state required multiple witnesses to become a donor. In 2006, Illinois became a first person-consent state for organ and tissue donation. “All of have to do is go to www.lifegoeson.com, call 1800-210-2106, or come in to any of my 138 offices and indicate that you want to be part of the organ and tissue registry.” White said. “We will do our best to honor your wish.”
LISTEN to Secretary of State Jesse White HERE.
Nick McClintock can be reached at Nick. [email protected]
