April is Donate Life Month, and it is the sixth year the City of Reno has encouraged community members to join the organ donor registry.
Lauren Martelle, a liver recipient who is now an ambassador for Donor Network West, told us, "It doesn't cost you anything, and if you do something that you can do, selflessly like that, you can save somebody else's life, and can extend their life like mine. There are just two better gifts that you can give somebody.”
The City of Reno’s Arch is now green and blue for the entire month of April for National Donate Life Month. Many people told us that being a registered donor is something they're proud of.
They say it's something that doesn't seem big in the moment but can truly have a great impact, and whether they themselves are a registered donor or even a recipient, they know the importance that small heart on an I.D. holds.
Whitaker White, who is a registered donor and recently lost his daughter, said, "There are a lot of people that don't get a second chance, and this gives them a second chance. So, I've lived a full life, and there are young children and whoever, and it's just nice to know that parts of me and my daughter can live on and help someone."
Organizers tell us that education about donation is very important and can even be critical.
Over 100,000 Americans are on the wait list for an organ transplant, and nearly seven hundred are Nevadans.
They say the wait list outweighs the supply of organs that are available.
E'Tiffany Jones, the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Donor Network West told us, "It's just that myths and misconceptions and, you know, it requires education and awareness, and to really just make sure that people feel good and comfortable about, donation, knowing what they can really do, help save lives when they really understand that and the impact."
Organizers told us that one donor can save eight lives, help seventy people with tissue donation, and restore sight for two people through cornea donation.
