The occurrence of chronic disease in the United States is on the rise. As of 2005, approximately ½ of all adults had at least one chronic condition. Examples of these chronic diseases are high blood pressure, diabetes and COPD. As a result, the list of individuals needing an organ transplant is also on the rise.
Alarming statistics (as of 2012)
- There are currently over 120,000 people waiting for an organ transplant
- More than 20 people die on a daily basis waiting for an organ
- In Wisconsin alone there are more than 2,500 people awaiting a transplant
- In 2015 there were 565 transplants in Wisconsin and 274 donors
- AS of April 2015 approximately 57% of Wisconsin residents were registered organ donors and about 40% nationwide
- Only 2-3% of people that pass away do so in a way in which they are able to donate
- 1 organ donor has the potential to save 8 lives
Indicating your desire to be an organ donor used to be placing an orange dot on your driver’s license. This changed in 2010 and there is now a website you go to for registration (www.donatelifewisconsin.com). Although this requires an additional step, it now serves as a legal document. This can eliminate some of the struggles loved ones have in times of loss as they no longer have to make the decisions.
The gap between patients needing organs and people who donate continues to widen. If you are not a registered donor and are interested in doing so there is no time like the present.