(Durham, NC) – On Friday, September 9th, the United States organ donation system surpassed 1 million organ transplants, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has announced. HonorBridge, a member of the nationwide organ donation and transplant system responsible for reaching the historic landmark, credits the collaboration, innovation, and passion of its fellow members for making it possible. This milestone was reached during National DMV Appreciation Month when DMV staff are recognized as vital partners in saving and healing lives. It is due to the commitment of DMV staff asking all customers, age 16 and up, the donor registration question every day that achievements like this are possible.
The vast majority of donor registrations in the US and NC come through DMV transactions. DMV offices and their employees have an invaluable role in increasing the number of registered organ, eye and tissue donors.
“This is an historical achievement for saving lives and the DMV is a crucial link helping nearly 13 million North Carolinians register their decisions to be deceased organ, eye and tissue donors,” said Chuck Heald, Director of Communications at HonorBridge. “Through their dedication to the Donate Life mission, DMV leadership and staff bring hope to the 100,000 plus men, women and children waiting for lifesaving transplants each time they ask a customer if they would like to register as a donor.”
There are state donor registries and the National Donate Life Registry. When you register at the NC DMV, you are registering in your state donor registry. Both your state donor registry and the National Donate Life Registry are checked by HonorBridge donation professionals at the time of your death. Your most recent decision is honored as the legal document of gift. You can register online at the National Donate Life Registry anytime at RegisterMe.org/NC.
Many common services, such as driver license and vehicle registration renewal, ordering a duplicate license or ID, and vehicle registration can be done online at any time. If you need to visit the NC DMV in person, try to make an appointment, bring needed documentation, and make your decision about registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor. This will make your visit easier for you and the DMV staff.
HonorBridge is grateful to the staff of NC DMVs for asking customers to register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. By registering new donors each day, the DMV staff have a key and heroic role in saving and healing the lives of those in need and helping the United States transplant its 1 millionth organ.
About HonorBridge:
HonorBridge, formerly known as Carolina Donor Services, is the federally designated, not-for-profit organ procurement organization serving 7.5 million people in 77 counties in North Carolina, along with Pittsylvania County in Virginia. With offices in Durham, Greenville, and Winston-Salem, HonorBridge is devoted to building connections that save and heal lives through organ and tissue donation. In North Carolina, over 3,000 people are currently waiting for organ transplants and nationally, over 100,000 people are on the organ waiting list. For more information, visit HonorBridge.org or call 1-800-200-2672.
