The green ribbon: a symbol of giving hope, sharing life through organ donation

Every day, I hear the powerful stories of people whose lives are touched by organ donation. They are stories of hope and love that wouldn’t be possible without the selfless, generous gifts of organ donors.

For those on the waiting list, however, the next chapter of life is uncertain.

Despite advancements in medical technology, the demand for organ donors still far outpaces the number of registered donors. Nearly 2,000 people in Missouri and 500 people in Kansas are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

Ninety-five percent of Americans say they’re in favor of being a donor, yet only 54 percent of adults nationally are registered.

Locally, we are doing better: 72 percent of adults in Kansas and 75 percent of adults in Missouri are registered to share life through organ, eye and tissue donation.

The disparity between those registered and those who say they favor donation can be attributed to several factors:

▪  A myth that doctors withdraw care earlier if you’re a donor (The medical team treating you and working to save your life is separate from the transplant team.)

▪  Misperceptions about donation violating religious beliefs (All major religions support donation and typically consider it a generous act of love, charity and individual choice.)

▪  A general discomfort about addressing issues related to death (It’s about saving and improving lives.)

But, perhaps bigger than all the factors above, is a truth of human nature: We often don’t act until we’re personally touched by an issue, even when that action takes a matter of seconds. And so, Midwest Transplant Network seeks to spread our message today and every day: Give hope and share life.

April is National Donate Life Month, a time when local, regional and national activities focus on encouraging Americans to register as organ donors, and honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation. To support these efforts in Kansas and Missouri, we are launching the Green Ribbon Campaign to further raise awareness of the critical need for registered organ and tissue donors.

Throughout April (and beyond), look around Kansas City for green ribbons, the symbol of support for organ and tissue donation (and the centerpiece of our new campaign). Next week, if you are in the downtown Kansas City area, you may also notice a green glow at the KCP&L Building and City Hall.

We invite you to join us for the Midwest Transplant Network Donate Life Legacy Walk on April 7 at Berkley Riverfront Park in Kansas City to honor donor heroes and celebrate life. Show your support by wearing green on April 13, which is Green Ribbon Day (also known National Donate Life Blue and Green Day).

The most important thing you can do is join the organ and tissue donor registry — either online at ShareLifeMidwest.com or at the DMV when obtaining or renewing your driver’s license or ID card. Everyone can be a registered donor regardless of age or medical history.

A single donor can save as many as eight lives and improve up to 75 more. Imagine the difference we can make if we all come together as advocates by joining and encouraging our loved ones to join the donor registry. By saying yes to donation and spreading awareness so others do the same, you can be part of someone’s lifesaving story … or even several life-saving stories.

This story was originally published April 1, 2018 at 8:30 PM with the headline "The green ribbon: a symbol of giving hope, sharing life through organ donation."