Texas Border Business
Edinburg, TX— Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (DHR) and Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA) will be hosting an organ donor drive on Friday, November 11, 2016, in honor of National Donor Sabbath. The three-day observance is a time for people of all religions to honor those who have given the precious gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. The observance aims to join faith leaders across the country to discuss the gift of life via organ donation. This is an important time to educate our community about the need for organ donors and to inspire individuals to register and discuss their decision with their families.
Over 120,000 people in the United States are on the organ transplant waiting list, many of which will never receive the life-saving organs they need. Organ transplants in the United States reached an all-time high in 2015, with over 30,000 procedures performed. Even with this great accomplishment, there is still a pressing need for more organ donors. In an effort to increase the number of local registered organ donors, DHR is proud to participate in National Donor Sabbath and to honor the many who have given the gift of life.
Faith plays a significant role in the decision to register as a donor. All major religions support organ, eye and tissue donation, and believe it to be a final act of kindness and generosity. Many faith leaders focus on the gifts of hope passed to others by supporting donation and transplantation. Professionals in the health care community bring awareness to all worship groups across the nation.
One organ donor can save and enhance the lives of more than 50 people through organ and tissue donation. About 45% of all organ donations are living donations. Because of the body’s ability to regenerate certain organs, individuals are able to donate an organ or a portion of one and continue to live a full and healthy life. Minorities such as Hispanics, Native Americans, African-Americans, and Pacific Islanders are all at a greater risk for developing chronic conditions that affect the liver, heart, and kidneys. There is also a greater diversity of blood types within these populations, which makes the need for organ donation even more critical.
In April 2016, DHR opened the Renaissance Transplant Institute, only facility in the Rio Grande Valley that currently offers kidney transplant services. With the addition of the Renaissance Transplant Institute, patients no longer have to leave the Valley, but can receive all of their assessment and follow up visits close to home, and upon regulatory approval will not have to travel for the surgical transplant procedure.
The organ donor drive will be held at the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Main Lobby from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Donors will be able to ask questions about the donation process and which organs they can and would be willing to donate to recipients. Registration is also available under the Texas state donor registry; visit Donate Life Texas at www.donatelifetexas.org, to fill out the short and easy form that is available. You can also register to be an organ donor at the Department of Public Transportation when renewing your license or The Department of Motor Vehicles when renewing your Texas vehicle registration.
“National Donor Sabbath” Donation Station
Friday, November 11, 2016
11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Main Lobby
5501 S. McColl Rd.
Edinburg, TX 78539
All Texans, regardless of age or medical history, are encouraged to register at DonateLifeTexas.org. For information about the National Donor Sabbath, please contact Texas Organ Sharing Alliance at (956) 630-0884.
