Rep. deMacedo Celebrates April as Donate Life Month in Plymouth

It's a question asked every day at the , "Would you like to sign up as an organ donor?"

Tuesday, the New England Organ Bank celebrated Donate Life Month at the RMV with state Rep. Vinny deMacedo and other local and state officials. 

The Massachusetts RMV plays an important role in the organ donation process for the question is on all driver license and ID applications. Employees at all Departments of Motor Vehicles across the country ask the same question.

"It is inspiring to hear the stories of individuals who are alive today because of the miracle of organ transplantation. I hope everyone seriously considers registering to be an organ donor when they fill out their driver license application," deMacedo said.

New England Organ Bank is the federally-designated, Organ Procurement Organization responsible for the surgical recovery of organs and tissues for transplant throughout the New England region.

Matt Boger, State Relations for New England Organ Bank said that, “Although it is up to the individual to register to donate, it is not a neutral issue. Both the state and federal government strongly support donation and makes it as easy as possible to register at the RMV or on the RMV website. Statistics show that 99.8% of all Massachusetts residents who designate themselves as an organ and tissue donor do so at the RMV.”

Dee Wheeler, Branch Manager for the Plymouth RMV said the employees ask everyone who is renewing their license or ID if they would like to register to be an organ and tissue donor.

"We have posters in the office reminding people that they will be asked this important question and literature at each window to answer any questions. We are proud to be part of this important cause.”

Wheeler and the entire RMV staff sported green donate life T-shirts in support of April as Donate Life Month.

Last year the lives of more than 240 New Englanders were saved because individuals registered as organ donors on their state driver’s license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. In addition, the lives of 25,000 New Englanders were enhanced by tissue donations from registered tissue donors. Registering as a donor can make a very real difference in the life of someone desperately in need of a transplant. Currently, more than 113,700 Americans await a life saving organ transplant that may not come in
time.

To register to become an organ and tissue donor in Massachusetts visit the RMV’s website at secure.rmv.state.ma.us/OrganDonor/intro.aspx or at www.donatelifenewengland.org