Although my article is called "10 Reasons Why I Am a Donor," it is way more than 10 reasons; I have 119,000 reasons to donate. That is the number of men, women and children currently on the transplant list praying and hoping they will match with someone. 22 of those 119,000 die everyday waiting for a transplant, and to me, that's too many. Donating has to be one of the things I take most pride in about myself. However, the pride it causes me is not the only reason why I choose to donate blood, bone marrow and organs. My head is flooded with reasons why I decide to help out those who need parts of my body more than I do; but I'll elaborate on my top 10. Hopefully some of my reasons can persuade you into becoming any type of donor and potentially saving a life.
1. Saving Lives
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One donor can save up to eight lives, providing eight different types of organs. When you donate blood, you are helping the thousands of patients who are in need of transfusions around the world. When you donate bone marrow, you are helping the 113,000 people per year that were diagnosed with a blood disease, the 44,000 per year with leukemia and 3,000 per year that die because they cannot find a donor.
2. You're One Of A Kind
It is extremely difficult to find a match for patients, and you can be that one out of a million that can match with them. You will never know if you can someone's last hope and savior. Hospitals are constantly in need of blood, especially Type O, and majority of the population can help out and donate their O type blood to help out the lack of donors in hospitals.
3. It Costs Nothing
Donating blood, bone marrow and organs is completely free. There are no fees or costs related to donation, so why not help someone in dire need?
4. My Religion Approves
As a Catholic, my religion does not have an issue with donation of any sort so I'm not in moral conflict. Other faiths also do not have a problem with you donating so that can't be an excuse!
5. Stick It To Cancer!
Become an active member of the fight against cancer by donating bone marrow. One cheek swap can help determine if you are a possible match to someone and can save their lives. I feel like I really am making a change and contributing to the fight by giving a part of me away in order to get closer to a cure.
6. KARMA
I am a firm believer of the philosophy that what you put out in the world comes back to you.
7. A Little Goes A Long Way
One pint of blood can help up to three people. One donor can help up to eight people with organ donation. Less than five percent of bone marrow is donated and can help cancer patients. You don't have to give away your entire self for it to make a difference. The smallest amount can be the biggest help, isn't that crazy? You have the power to truly make a change!
8. What If It Were My Family?
It's a scary thought to have in my mind, but what if the patient needing an organ, blood or marrow was family? I would want someone to help them out and for them to find a donor, but the way things are now, the donor pool is incredibly shallow. We need A LOT more donors to help the hundreds of thousands of people in need.
9. It's One Of The Things That Makes Me Love Myself
I love that I am a registered donor; it is something I take the utmost pride in. It sounds selfish, but the feeling of pride and love that flows through my body when I donate is what makes me come back. Donating gave me the confidence I needed because I knew that as a donor, I am important and I am helping others.
10. Why Do I Need My Organs After Death?
Okay, this might get a little morbid but that's just how it's going to be. As much as everyone would like their body with them to the after-life, sadly they cannot. After I die, I would like to donate some, if not all, of my organs eligible for donation. Why would I deny someone that second shot at life? Your organs do not serve you after you die but they can make all the difference to someone else, so keep that in mind.
