This weekend, November 12--14, is recognized as the National Donor Sabbath.
National Donor Sabbath is part of an organ donation initiative launched by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1997. Observed on Friday through Sunday two weekends before Thanksgiving, the 3-day period seeks to include the days of worship of major religions practiced in the U.S.
Transplant professionals collaborate with faith communities to focus on the lifesaving gifts of organ, tissue and marrow donation. Faith leaders and congregations participate in services and events to increase awareness of donation and transplantation. Most major religions view organ and tissue donation as a compassionate and generous gift.
The need for donors increases each year. Currently, nearly 110,000 Americans are on the organ transplant waiting list. According to OrganDonor.gov, an average of 3,000 individuals at any given time are searching for an unrelated blood stem cell donor.
Those who donate organs, tissue, and blood stem cells restore hope and share gifts beyond measure. For more information about becoming an organ donor, visit the NFT website. Together, we can continue raising hope and changing lives.
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2 comments:
Are the dates for Organ Donor Sabbath 11/11-11/13 this year (2011)? We are hoping to give a talk about organ donation at a large church & want to have the dates right before we approach the pastor.
Our son is a small bowel recipient - 11 years out & doing well!
Yes, National Donor Sabbath will take place the weekend of November 12 as members of faith communities focus on the life-affirming gifts of hope passed to others by organ, eye, tissue, marrow and blood donors. I'm so glad to hear the great news about your son! I hope you have a successful Donor Sabbath event this year.
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