Support Organ Donation
NMBFoundation wholeheartedly supports organ donation. Please support us by getting involved with one of these great organizations – you could save a life!
"To be an organ donor means to carry out an act of love toward someone in need, toward a brother in difficulty. It is a free act of love, of availability, that every person of good will can do at any time and for any brother."
Pope Benedict XVI
NOLAN BURCH ORGAN DONATION
As a young man Nolan believed in the edict “Men for others.” In no way has this borne out more than through Nolan’s gift of organ donation. The gift of life.
Through the miracle of organ donation Nolan was able to save four lives. One man received Nolan’s lungs. A man and a woman each received one of Nolan’s kidneys and another woman received Nolan’s liver. The Burch family has been in touch with all four and have personally met three of recipients. They consider it a true blessing and love all four and their families.
Although a personal choice, the Burch family very much encourages everyone to make their wishes known to their families and to become an official organ donor.
How to become an organ donor:
- Join a donor registry. A registry is more than just an expression of interest in becoming a donor. It is a way to legally give consent for the anatomical gift of organs, tissue, and eyes. Each time you go to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), you will be asked, “do you want to make an anatomical gift?” All you have to do is say “Yes.” You can also join the registry at any time by filling out a “Document of Gift” form from the BMV. For more information, go to www.lifebanc.org and click on donor registry. Donor registry information for any state might be obtained from www.donatelife.net.
- Sign and carry an organ donor card. This card can be downloaded at: www.organdonor.gov.
- Let your family members and loved ones know your desire to be a donor.
- You might also want to tell your family healthcare provider, lawyer, and religious leader that you would like to be a donor.
Organs and tissues that can be transplanted include:
- Liver
- Kidney
- Pancreas
- Heart
- Lung
- Intestine
- Cornea
- Middle ear
- Skin
- Bone
- Bone marrow
- Heart valves
- Connective tissue
- Vascularized composite allografts (transplant of several structures that may include skin, bone, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue)
References:
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Organdonor.gov Accessed 2/21/2017.
- United Network for Organ Sharing. Facts about organ donation Accessed 2/21/2017.
- Donate Life America. Types of Donations Accessed 2/21/2017.
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