Pa. officials commemorate Donate Life Month

HARRISBURG – Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine and Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kurt Myers, along with representatives from Donate Life Pennsylvania, highlighted the importance of organ and tissue donation at an event at the new Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola on Friday in conjunction with the national observance of Donate Life Month in April.

Nearly 49 percent of current driver’s license and ID card holders – more than 4.88 million Pennsylvanians – are registered organ donors. Almost 7,300 Pennsylvanians are currently awaiting organ transplants.

“Donate Life Blue and Green Day is a reminder of just how important it is to sign up to be an organ and tissue donor,” Levine said. “Registering to be a donor takes just a few minutes, as it can be done online, but it has the potential to save a number of lives. After registering, it is important to have a discussion with your family on why you believe organ donation is essential, and what your wishes are.”

To add the organ donor designation to an existing driver’s license or ID card, visit www.dmv.pa.gov and select the “Donate Life Pennsylvania” icon in the middle column of the page. Once the designation is added, individuals will receive a designation card that they must carry with them to affirm organ donor status until they renew or replace their driver’s license or ID card. There is no charge for adding the designation to your driver’s license or ID card.

Driver’s license and ID card holders, as well as registered vehicle owners, can also support organ donation programs by donating $1 to the Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund at the time of application and/or renewal. Proceeds from the fund are used to educate and promote awareness of the organ donor program through nonprofit organizations like the Center for Organ Recovery and Education and the Gift of Life Donor Program. Pennsylvanians have generously donated more than $15 million to the fund to date.

For additional information about organ donation in Pennsylvania, visit www.donatelifepa.org.