Every year on February 14th, while many celebrate love with chocolates and flowers, there’s another kind of love that deserves recognition—the gift of life. National Donor Day is dedicated to raising awareness about organ, eye, tissue, blood, and marrow donation, honoring both donors and recipients whose lives have been changed forever by these incredible acts of generosity.

Why National Donor Day Matters

Right now, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Every nine minutes, another person is added to the list. Meanwhile, a single organ donor has the power to save up to eight lives and improve the lives of 75 more through tissue donation. Despite this, the need still outweighs the number of available donors.

This is why National Donor Day exists—to bring attention to this urgent need and encourage more people to register as donors.

Real Stories: The Power of Organ Donation

Organ donation isn’t just a statistic. It’s real people, real families, and real second chances.

• A Father's Second Chance – John, a father of three, spent years battling kidney disease. His best friend stepped up and donated a kidney, giving John more time with his family.
• The Gift of Sight – Maria’s cornea donation restored the vision of two individuals, proving that even in loss, a donor’s impact lives on.
• A Young Life Saved – Two-year-old Liam received a heart transplant after being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Today, thanks to a donor's generosity, he’s a thriving, energetic child.

Every donor leaves a legacy— that lives on in the lives of those they save.

How You Can Make a Difference

Becoming a donor is one of the simplest ways to make an extraordinary impact. You can register:

✔ Online
✔ Through your state’s donor registry (often available via the DMV)
✔ On your iPhone Health App, which links to the National Donate Life Registry

You can also support National Donor Day by:

• Spreading awareness – Share stories of donors and recipients to educate others.
• Donating blood or platelets – Many patients waiting for organ transplants also require blood transfusions.
• Talking to your family – Make sure your loved ones know your wishes about donation.

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Love comes in many forms, but one of the most powerful is the gift of life. This National Donor Day, take a moment to consider the impact you can make—because one decision can mean everything to someone in need.