We Just Turned 13 Million!

Join the Celebration of Our Major Milestone!

That’s right! The Donate Life Texas donor registry is celebrating the lifesaving commitment of 13 million Texans who have now joined the donor registry.

Since it was created in 2005, the Donate Life Texas (DLT) donor registry has been steadily growing thanks to generous Texans who understand the lifesaving difference each donor makes to the lives of those in need of a transplant.  Registering with DLT provides legal consent for donation and is an easy and convenient way for people to make their decision to donate known after they pass away.

Building anything on this scale takes the work of multitudes of dedicated people. DLT relies on several partners who each play a critical role in making donor registration easy and convenient.

Texas Lawmakers
The donor registry, named after Glenda Dawson was created by and remains part of Texas state statutes. Since 2005, lawmakers from all over the state have supported responsible legislation that makes donor registration simple, straightforward and convenient.

Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division
Each and every Texan who applies for or renews a state driver license or ID card is given the opportunity to register with Donate Life Texas as a donor.  This single step relies on the support of thousands of DPS employees and is responsible for roughly 82% of all donor registrations.

Donor Family Members, Transplant Recipients, Living Donors & Other Advocates
From health fairs and community events to school rooms and beyond, an army of volunteer advocates are essential to educating the public about the need for donation and the importance of registration.

Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), Eye and Tissue Banks
In Texas, 16 Donate Life Texas organizations perform the organ, eye and tissue recovery procedures. These dedicated professionals are also the ones who work closely with donor families to guide them through the process of their loved one’s donation.  LifeGift, Southwest Transplant Alliance and Texas Organ Sharing Alliance are founding members of the Donate Life Texas registry.

The Texas Transplantation Society
Each day, transplant centers across Texas are recommending increasing numbers of patients for transplants, giving these medical professionals a unique and personal perspective of the rising demand for donor organs.  The Texas Transplantation Society is a professional organization that serves as a resource and voice for the medical transplantation community statewide.  The TTS has been instrumental in developing the registry’s framework and continues to be an invaluable supporter of donor registration to this day.

A million reasons to celebrate!

In 2020, registered Texas donors saved the lives of more than 1,500 organ transplant patients, shared the gift of sight with more than 3,700 people and helped more than 62,400 people relying on tissues for surgery, recovery and treatment. And, each year in the U.S., there are approximately 58,000 tissue donors and more than 2.5 million tissue transplants; the surgical need for donated tissue is steadily rising.

Having 13 million registered Texans helps make these medical miracles possible, but we still have more to do.  With more people registered than ever before, many ask why the organ shortage continues. Unfortunately, the demand for transplants is rising faster than the number of donated organs, but not for the reasons you might think.

On the demand side, the growing prevalence of diabetes and heart disease has increased the number of people added to the transplant waiting list.  Thanks to medical advances, transplants have become far more common and have shown to be reliable treatments for more kinds of conditions.

On the donation side, very few things prevent organ donation, but how a person dies often makes donation impossible.  In fact, only about 1% of people die in ways that allow donation – causes such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Donor registration matters!

Registering with Donate Life Texas records a person’s legal decision to be a donor so it can be known by the right people at the right time to save lives.  In the simplest terms, donor registration helps ensure that every transplantable organ can become a gift of life.

So, how can you help?

  • Register!
  • Talk with your friends and family abouT donation and your decision. Encourage them to register.
  • Find a Donate Life Texas Organization in your area and become a volunteer advocate.
  • Make a financial gift to support the Donate Life Texas donor registry.
  • Share your Donate Life Story on the Donate Life Texas website.
  • When applying for or renewing your driver license or ID, tell the DPS office staff why donation is important to you.

Most of all, THANK YOU for registering to Donate Life!  Each of us are one in 13 million, but to the person waiting for a transplant, a Donor Hero is their one hope for a second chance at life.

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Create Your Own Donor Registration Page

Here it is – an easy way to encourage others to join the Donate Life Texas donor registry!

DLT’s Unite 4 Life Program offers turn-key resources with everything you need to host a registration campaign, including the ability to create your own donor registration page on our website.

You’ll also find education and ideas to help you advocate for donation. Registration pages can be created to give people a way to register in honor or memory of someone special or to make registering quick and easy at your school, place of worship or workplace.  And, DLT will be there every step of the way to provide as much guidance and support as you wish.

Log in to the Unite 4 Life Host Portal to explore program resources and get started:

  • Campaign Creator tool – set up  your own DLT donor registration campaign page and track results.
  • Tips, materials and ideas to help enhance your campaign
  • Donation and registration FAQs
  • Downloadable promotion materials like posters, fliers and social media graphics
  • Entry criteria for Unite 4 Life awards

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DLT Honorees with NASCAR’s Joey Gase

For Donate Life Texas and NASCAR driver Joey Gase, this weekend’s race is about more than a checkered flag and the roar of the crowd.  It’s about the people whose lives have been touched by organ, eye and tissue donation.  We remember the Donor Heroes who have given the gift of life to others in their passing.  We celebrate the transplant recipients who make each day of their second chance count.  And, we hope for The Call to come for those still on the transplant waiting list.

Donate Life Texas is proud to partner with NASCAR driver, donor son and Donate Life advocate, Joey Gase for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, October 25th.

In what has become an annual tradition for what Gase calls “Handprints of Hope,” organ, eye and tissue honorees, including family and friends, were invited to submit virtual handprints and messages of hope to be displayed on the Donate Life Texas #51 car. This year, organ donor Raven Goff and heart recipient Diana Evans along with 200 other Texans will be featured on Gase’s car at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Raven Goff: 
Six-year-old Raven Goff died after being involved in a tragic accident in January of this year. Her giving spirit lives on after her parents made the decision to give the gift of life. Raven left a lasting legacy helping to save the lives of six patients through the donation of her heart, liver, two kidneys and pancreas, along with her corneas which gave sight to two small children.

Diana Evans:
Diana was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, in March of 2000. Her doctor had informed her that there was no cure for this condition and she would most likely need a heart transplant within two years to survive. Diana was listed for transplant on November 1, 2017 and nine days later was blessed with a new heart and a new life.

Mary Gase:
At the age of 18, Joey Gase tragically lost his mother, Mary, to a sudden brain aneurysm. Faced with a difficult decision, he and his family gave their consent to donate his mother’s organs. Later, they learned that her gift helped to save and improve the lives of 66 people.  Gase developed a passion for educating others on the need for organ, eye and tissue donation and honoring all of those affected by donation and transplantation. His car regularly features the face of his mother, other donors, and organ and tissue recipients and those waiting, making his one of the most unique cars in NASCAR.

Register your donation decision today at www.DonateLifeTexas.org/Gase 
Already registered? Talk to your family and friends about the importance of organ, eye & tissue donation and registration.

 

 


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Film Release: Two Hearts

Based on the Inspirational True Story

For two couples the future unfolds in different decades and different places, but a hidden connection will bring them together in a way no one could have predicted. Based on an inspirational true story, 2 Hearts is a romantic journey that celebrates life, love and generosity of spirit, and challenges audiences to believe miracles are possible.

Charismatic young Australian actor Jacob Elordi (“Euphoria,” “The Kissing Booth“) plays Chris, a college freshman whose love for a spirited classmate played by Tiera Skovbye (“Riverdale,” “Once Upon a Time”) helps him find the purpose he has been searching for.

In another place and time, Adan Canto (“Designated Survivor,” “Narcos”) plays Cuban exile Jorge, who falls for well-traveled flight attendant Leslie, played by Radha Mitchell (Man on FireThe Shack).

Though they were never meant to meet, fate has something entirely unexpected in store for both couples that dramatically changes the course of their lives.

For tickets at a theater near you, visit: 2heartsthefilmtickets.com

Enjoy the official film trailer below, or visit the official 2Hearts website.

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Donate Life Texas Statement Regarding COVID-19

Updated 3/1/2021

ATTENTION: Due to COVID-19, expect delays in processing mailed or faxed paper registration forms/updates. Please consider using the online features.  Explore more about registering to be an organ, eye & tissue donor here.

 

As you are aware, Donate Life Texas takes our responsibility to the donation and transplant community seriously. Our priority is the safety and health of the recipients, donor families, living donors, and both the public and professional Donate Life communities.

We continue to follow the guidance of local, state and federal authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We ask that everyone take action to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by practicing physical social distancing, using good hygiene practices and self-quarantining after a potential interaction with an infected individual.

Donate Life Texas will continue to take a more online approach for local events, national observances and celebrations. Please join us on FacebookInstagramTwitter.

Thank you all for being partners in the lifesaving Donate Life mission, and helping make organ, eye and tissue donation possible.  If you have not done so already, register your donation decision online at www.DonateLifeTexas.org.

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Celebrate with Us On National Donate Life Blue & Green Day!

National Blue & Green Day 2020 is Friday, April 17!

During this day, the public is encouraged to wear blue and green and to engage in sharing the Donate Life message and promoting the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

Check out some free downloadable resources from Donate Life America to help you get started.  There are flyers, social media and web banners you can use.  You can also refer to the National Donate Life Month page for more information.

Don’t forget to show your creativity in blue & green Donate Life color and enter the Donate Life America photo contest!  Send in your best blue & green photo* to the Donate Life America Facebook page starting Friday, April 17 through Tuesday, April 21 at 11:59 pm (ET) / 10:59 pm (CST), in one of five categories.

Click here or see below for contest information and rules.

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April is National Donate Life Month – Celebrate With Us Virtually!

April is National Donate Life Month

National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations in 2003. Observed in April each year, National Donate Life Month helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

   

For the 2020 National Donate Life Month artwork, Donate Life America was inspired by the springtime scene of a garden. A garden and the insects within in it serve as symbols of hope, courage and transformed life — themes repeatedly 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. Similarly, we each have the potential to nurture and enrich our communities through organ, eye and tissue donation. This National Donate Life Month, we ask you to be a part of this lifesaving and healing garden by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor; becoming educated about living donation, and championing the Donate Life cause.

Celebrate with Donate Life Texas (DLT) – 7 Ways in 7 Days:

We have moved our celebration of National Donate Life Month virtually. Each week DLT will create a calendar of ideas to inspire our supporters to share our message. We will have regular posts on our social media channels – FacebookInstagramTwitter – to provide information and encouragement.

Week 4:

  • Monday, April 20 – Celebrate and Share!
    It’s National Pediatric Transplant Week! This week focuses on the powerful message of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. Share your story with us on social media.  Read more and download graphics here.  It’s also Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Give a should out online to say thanks for all they do!

 

  • Tuesday, April 21 – Decorate Your House
    Print a flyer and post it on your front window. Share the #DonateLife message!

 

  • Wednesday, April 22 – Happy Earth Day!
    Learn more about the blue and green in the Donate Life symbol. Check it out and share today’s Facebook post.

 

  • Thursday, April 23 – Kid’s Art Contest is extended!
    We’ve extended our Art Contest! Kids, get creative with your #DonateLife chalk art or download the DLM coloring page from our website. Did we mention prizes? Share your photos with us by 4/30 for a chance to win a DLT backpack! Click here to download the coloring page.

 

  • Friday, April 24 – Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week!
    Share your favorite volunteer event or activity with us on social media or post your story on DLT’s website! 

 

  • Saturday, April 25 – Celebrate and Share!
    Tell us what you love about National Donate Life Month.

 

  • Sunday, April 26 – Flag Pole Photo Day
    Share photos of you raising or flying your Donate Life Flag. Don’t have a flag? Download a Donate Life Month flyer and hang it in your window

 

Week 3:

  • Monday, April 13 – Post a Message
    Join us and post a message of hope and healing to patients on the national transplant waiting list.  Currently, there are more than 12,000 men, women & children waiting nationally. More than 10,000 of those patients are waiting in Texas! Read more about the national transplant waiting list and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

 

  • Tuesday, April 14 – Decorate Your Home
    Get ready for National Blue & Green Day this Friday, April 17th! Decorate your home with blue & green lights, flags, and window artwork for all to see!

 

  • Wednesday, April 15 – It’s Christmas in April!
    The Hallmark Channel is showing the most wonderful donation themed Christmas story. “The Christmas Heart” will air on 4/15/2020 at 9:00 pm / 8:00 pm CST.  Share with us a picture of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie!

 

  • Thursday, April 16 – Kids Art Contest
    Kids, express your Donate Life support, and wins DLT backpack! Get creative with chalk art designs on your sidewalk or driveway. Download the DLM coloring page from our website and show us your skills! Share your photos with us through our social media channels or email us at info@donatelifetexas.org.  Photos must be shared on/before 4/19/2020 for a chance to win a DL Texas backpack. Click here to download the coloring page.

 

  • Friday, April 17 – Today is National Blue & Green Day!
    Share all of your best blue and green photos today!  Show off those Donate Life colors and send your photos into the national photo contest.  More details about National Blue & Green Day and the contest here.

 

  • Saturday, April 18 – Be a Myth Buster
    Post a personal story that busts a donation myth. Don’t forget to tag us.

 

  • Sunday, April 19 – Celebrate and Share!
    Today kicks off National Pediatric Transplant Week.  It focuses on the powerful message of ending the pediatric transplant waiting list. Share your story with us on social media.  Read more and download graphics here. It’s also Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Give a should out online to say thanks for all they do!

 

Week 2:


Link to graphic

  • Monday, April 6 – Register with Walgreens
    Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor through the Walgreens app this week. Don’t forget to give Walgreens a shout-out on social media too!This week, you can register your decision to be an organ, eye & tissue donor through your Walgreens app! As of today, nearly 10,000 people have registered to save & heal lives through the app – help us reach the goal of 12,000 people registered by the end of the week! Here’s how to register in your Walgreens app: Go to the Prescriptions section on the app and select Become An Organ Donor. Your donor registration will go directly & securely to the Donate Life America Registry. Already registered? Share the news with your friends and family that they can register their decision to be a donor in the #Walgreens app. Thank you to Walgreens for helping make life possible! #DonateLife You can also register your donation decision at DonateLifeTexas.org
  • Tuesday, April 7 – Donate Life Swag
    Visit the Donate Life Store to get some blue and green swag. There’s even swag for your pets!

 

  • Wednesday, April 8 – Moment to Reflect
    Take a moment to breathe, reflect or remember a loved one by visiting the virtual Donate Life America Tribute wall.

 

  • Thursday, April 9 – Thankful Thursday
    Send a thank-you note to a nurse, doctor or first responder. You can even send a note to organ and tissue recovery staff as they continue to save and heal lives!  Email DLT at info@donatelifetexas.org – we would be happy to pass your thank-you along to the recovery organizations!

 

  • Friday, April 10 – Donate Life Rocks!
    Paint a rock in blue and green and include a #DonateLife message. Take a picture and share it with us by email at info@donatelifetexas.org or through our social media channels – FacebookInstagramTwitter. Then, hide your rock in your neighborhood.  Remember to practice #socialdistancing!

 

  • Saturday, April 11 – Hug a Tree
    Tie a blue and green ribbon around a tree and share it on social media. Remember to use the hashtag #DonateLifeTexas or #DoneVidaTexas!

 

  • Sunday, April 12 – It’s Movie Night!
    While you are practicing social distancing, have a movie night!  The film A Question of Faith will air at 7:00 pm (CST) / 8:00 pm (ET) on Lifetime.  Share with us a picture of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie!  More information about the film is listed here.

 

Donate Life Texas will continue to honor donors, recipients, and their families and caregivers throughout the month of April. Along with recognizing the clinical teams who continue their dedicated work during this time to help honor the gift of donation and save the lives of those waiting for a second chance at life.  We will also share positive stories. We do this out of respect and appreciation for the many people who want to talk about their experiences and inspire others to join the Donate Life Texas organ, eye, and tissue registry.

It is our hope these inspiring stories will help us all see our way through to the brighter days ahead: when this pandemic has been defeated, our lives can return to some semblance of normalcy and nobody here in Texas – or anywhere across the country – has to wait long to receive the lifesaving organ they need.

We wish you a Happy National Donate Life Month. Thank you for your efforts in educating about the cause of donation and the importance of registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor!

Check back weekly for updates!

 

Additional Resources:

  • You can visit DLA’s website to download the official 2020 NDLM reference materials, social media graphics, web banners, and print materials – Click here!
  • Read Donate Life America’s National Donate Life Month COVID-19 response.

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Film Re-Release: A Question of Faith

While you are practicing social distancing, have a movie night with Donate Life Texas!

On Sunday, April 12, the film A Question of Faith will be aired on Lifetime.  In the film, three families struck by tragedy find that destiny forces them on a converging path to discover God’s love, grace, and mercy as the challenges of their fate could also resurrect their beliefs.

This compelling story will have you feeling inspired! Share a picture, or several, of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie!  There might be some #DonateLifeTexas swag for you.  Share with us a picture of you and your loved ones enjoying the movie through our Facebook Page, tag us on Twitter (@DonateLifeTexas) or Instagram (@DonateLifeTexas).  Post your photos in the comments. 💙💚 #DonateLife #aquestionoffaith #Lifetime

Enjoy the official film trailer, or visit Lifetime’s website.

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DLT: Celebrates 12 Million in 2020

Sign Up. Save Lives. 

The Donate Life Texas donor registry is celebrating the lifesaving commitment of 12 million Texans who have joined the donor registry.

Since its creation in 2005, the Donate Life Texas (DLT) donor registry has been growing thanks to the generous Texans who understand the lifesaving difference each donor makes to the lives of those in need of a transplant, and the healing gift of tissue donation.  Registering with DLT provides legal consent for donation and is an easy and convenient way for people to make their decision to donate known after they pass away.

Building anything on this scale takes the work of multitudes of dedicated people. DLT relies on several partners who each play a critical role in making donor registration easy and convenient.

Texas Lawmakers
The donor registry was created by and remains part of Texas state statutes. Since 2005, lawmakers from all over the state have supported responsible legislation that makes donor registration simple, straightforward and convenient.  Together, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Dist. 21)  and Rep. John Zerwas M.D. (R – Dist. 28) have championed the most donor registry-related bills.

Texas Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division
Each and every Texan who applies for or renews a state driver license or ID card is given the opportunity to register with Donate Life Texas as a donor.  This single step relies on the support of thousands of DPS employees and is responsible for roughly 84% of all donor registrations.

Donor Family Members, Transplant Recipients, Living Donors & Other Advocates
From health fairs and community events to school rooms and beyond, an army of volunteer advocates are essential to educating the public about the need for donation and the importance of registration.

Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs), Eye and Tissue Banks
In Texas, 16 Donate Life Texas organizations perform the organ, eye and tissue recovery procedures. These dedicated professionals are also the ones who work closely with donor families to guide them through the process of their loved one’s donation.  LifeGift, Southwest Transplant Alliance and Texas Organ Sharing Alliance are founding members of the Donate Life Texas registry.

The Texas Transplantation Society
Each day, transplant centers across Texas are recommending increasing numbers of patients for transplants, giving these medical professionals a unique and personal perspective of the rising demand for donor organs.  The Texas Transplantation Society is a professional organization that serves as a resource and voice for the medical transplantation community statewide.  The TTS has been instrumental in developing the registry’s framework and continues to be an invaluable supporter of donor registration to this day.

Registry Growth

Growth was slow in the registry’s early years, but a streamlined process started in 2011 and accelerated registry growth, registering nearly 9 million Texans as of September 30, 2019.

chart data updated December 31, 2020

Donor registration matters!

Registering with Donate Life Texas records a person’s legal decision to be a donor so it can be known by the right people at the right time to save lives.  In the simplest terms, donor registration helps ensure that every transplantable organ can become a gift of life.

So, how can you help?

  • Register!
  • Talk with your friends and family about donation, tell them about your donation decision and encourage them to register.
  • Find a Donate Life Texas Organization in your area and become a volunteer advocate.
  • Make a financial gift to support the Donate Life Texas donor registry.
  • Share your Donate Life Story on the Donate Life Texas website.
  • When applying for or renewing your driver license or ID, tell the DPS office staff why donation is important to you.

Most of all, THANK YOU for registering to Donate Life!  Each of us is one in 12 million, but to the person waiting for a transplant, a Donor Hero is their one hope for a second chance at life.

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