National Donor Sabbath: November 9-11, 2007

Donate Life

During National Donor Sabbath weekend faith communities throughout the nation are invited to participate in discussions of the ability of human beings to save lives through organ, tissue, and marrow donation. Observed on the Friday through Sunday that falls two weekends before Thanksgiving, the 3-day National Donor Sabbath includes the days of worship of most major religions practiced in the United States.

On November 9-11, for National Donor Sabbath 2007, donation and transplant professionals will join faith communities in focusing on the life-affirming gifts that can be passed to others by those who choose to share life as organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors. Many faith leaders participate 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.

National Donor Sabbath participation increases each year, but so does the need for donors. More than 28,000 organ transplants were performed in 2006, yet as of June 2007, over 96,000 people were on the organ transplant waiting list. Each year thousands of Americans 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.

• Donated bone saved a soldier’s hand from amputation.

• Corneal transplants gave a man the chance to see his adult children for the first time.

• Heart transplants allowed a young woman to climb mountains, and an 18 month-old little girl a chance for a normal life.

• With a donated liver a young man went forward to win an Olympic medal, marry his sweetheart, and start a foundation to support donation education.

Faith communities and individuals who wish to participate in or plan programs for National Donor Sabbath should contact their local organ procurement organization or Donate Life America chapter.

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 Contact: Joy Demas, 301-443-7577