Want to be an organ donor? Get registered

While attitudes toward tissue and organ donation are positive, too many people still don't register to become organ donors.

That's the result of a recent survey of Ohio residents. The survey found that 80 percent thought organ donation was a good idea, but only about 50 percent take the step of actually registering to be an organ donor.

Failing to register can be a matter of life or death for the thousands of people in need of organs. In fact, 18 Americans die each day while waiting for an organ or tissue donation.

Sometimes there are common misunderstandings that prevent people from becoming donors. They might think they are too old and their health is too bad. But often, health officials say even people with cancer have been able to donate healthy organs after their death.

Sometimes people think they have registered when they haven't. Most people declare their wish to be a donor at their Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. If there is a red heart on the lower right-hand corner of a person's driver's license, they are registered. If not, they may not be registered and should go to www.donatelifeohio.org to check their status.

There are more than 100,000 Americans waiting for organ or tissue donations at this time, according to Lifeline of Ohio. We urge readers who intended to donate their organs to make sure they are registered. And for those who haven't given organ donation much thought, we ask that you do. Just about anyone can give the gift of life after death if they take the necessary step and register as an organ donor.