Donate LIFE

Donate Life Vermont is a social initiative sponsored by The Center for Donation & Transplant to increase the number of organ donor registrants in the state of Vermont. Its mission is to bring awareness and education to the Vermont communities about the importance and need for organ donors while providing the tools to take action. They reached out to me a few days ago to help announce a contest they have starting today. I jumped at the chance to participate and help spread awareness because this is an issue that has personally affected me on more than one occasion. I understand that death and afterlife can be extremely sensitive issues and I, too, want to be respectful of differing religious and spiritual beliefs. I'm only sharing my story, why I have chosen to be an organ donor, and how you can help save lives too.

Here are some quick facts:

• Currently, there are over 100,000 people in the U.S. on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
• Every 14 minutes, a new name is added to the list.
• An average of 17 Americans die every year due to a lack of transplantable organs.
• One organ and tissue donor can help save or enhance the lives of up to 50 people.
• Vermont is ranked 50^th in the nation for the percentage of residents registered to be organ, tissue and eye donors.
• Currently, the Vermont driver’s license is not linked to the state’s organ and tissue donor registry. So if you signed your driver’s license your requests are not recognized by the registry yet.
• The Vermont registry currently has only 578 organ and tissue registrants.

I have lost a few people very close to me because they were unable to receive the necessary organ they needed to survive. I'm not sure if Vermont's numbers are so low due to lack of awareness or if people are choosing not to donate. I only hope that these startling facts will encourage you to register to be an organ donor. You can give the gift of life to someone after you've lived yours. Now that's pretty cool if you ask me.

If you'd like the chance to win this SWEET computer bag...and yeah, it's awesome to tote your laptop in the snow...here's how to enter!

1. Sign up on the Vermont Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by CLICKING HERE
2. Comment on this post below letting me know you've registered
3. And...oh wait, that's it! You've entered!

Want more contest entries??

1. Tweet this contest and be sure to include @DonateLifeVT and @katmaund in your tweet
2. Facebook this contest and post the link below in the comments section
3. Change your profile picture to the Donate Life VT logo found HERE and let me know you've done it
4. Become a fan of Donate Life VT on Facebook HERE
5. Use your creative genius to spread the word in other ways, just let me know!