National Donor Sabbath: November
10-12, 2006
Donate Life
This year during National
Donor Sabbath, faith communities
throughout the nation
participated in discussions
of the ability of human
beings to save lives. Observed
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
to include the day of worship
of most religions in the
United States, National
Donor Sabbath falls two weekends
before Thanksgiving.
National Donor Sabbath
2006 was observed November
10-12
as members of faith communities
focused on the life-affirming
gifts of hope passed to others
by organ, tissue, marrow, and
blood donors. Many faith leaders
participated in services
and programs to increase awareness
of donation and transplantation
and the critical need for
donors.
Most religions in the United States either officially support organ
and tissue donation or support the individual choices of their members;
donation is viewed as an act of compassion and generosity. Temples,
churches, mosques, and other places of worship that observe the
National Donor Sabbath do so each in their own fashion.
- Example: In 2005, a Catholic Church in New Jersey featured at
its five Masses a special “interview” homily between
the priest and a young parishioner who had received a life-saving
double lung transplant. National Donor Sabbath provides an opportunity
for faith leaders and their communities, donor families, living
donors, transplant recipients, representatives from organ procurement
organizations, and other donation advocates to increase awareness
of sharing life — the greatest gift. Volunteer service and
philanthropic groups also support National Donor Sabbath.
- Example: In 2005, The Links, Inc, a women's volunteer service
group of more than 10,000 women of color, and Roche pharmaceutical
company, developed and distributed to faith communities, Can We
Talk, a guide to spark conversations about donation. Not knowing
a loved one’s wishes is one of the biggest reasons people
decline donation opportunities. The Links donation program, Linkages
for Life, invited the nation’s Black transplant surgeons
to speak at houses of worship during National Donor Sabbath 2004.
National Donor Sabbath participation increases each year,
but so does the need for donors. More than 28,000 organ
transplants were performed in 2005, but as of April 2006, over 92,000
people were on the organ transplant waiting list. Thousands of Americans
each year need corneal or other tissue transplants, and an average
of 3,000 individuals at any given time are searching for an unrelated
marrow donor.
Lives can be saved by donation and transplantation,
but only when generous individuals and families say yes to donation.
A single organ and tissue donor may save or improve life for as
many as 50 recipients. Those who donate organs, tissue, marrow,
and blood truly share gifts beyond measure.
I am heartened that the promise of organ donation continues
to save more and more lives every year. For each life saved, hope
for others in need grows; we must continue to grow and share that
hope across the nation. — Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary,
United States Department of Health and Human Services
For more information on National Donor Sabbath:
Joy Demas, 301-;443-7577
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