Every Second Counts: How Becoming an Organ Donor Can Save Lives in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Health (DOH), along with Pennsylvania organ donation organizations, Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE) and the Gift of Life Donor Program, are encouraging all driver’s license and identification card holders to help save lives by registering to become an organ donor during National Donate Life Month in April.

Today also marks National Donate Life Blue & Green Day. During this special celebration, the public is encouraged to wear blue and green – the recognized colors of organ donation organizations – to share the donate life message and promote the importance of registering as an organ, cornea, and tissue donor.

“Choosing to become an organ donor could help save a life,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “And if you’re considering it, you don’t have to wait until you renew your driver’s license or ID card, you can add the designation anytime.”

Over 49 percent of current driver’s license and identification card holders are registered as organ donors, nearly five million Pennsylvanians. Currently, nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians await organ transplants.

“Organ and tissue donation has touched most of our lives, as many of us know a friend, family member, co-worker or neighbor who was impacted by organ donation,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “I have seen the positive impact of organ donations on the lives of children and families over the years, and that is why I encourage others to join me and give the gift of life by becoming an organ donor. It only takes a minute to register, and each individual organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people.”

There is no charge for adding the designation to your driver’s license or identification card. To add the organ donor designation to an existing driver’s license or identification card, visit the Organ and Tissue Donation page on the Driver and Vehicle Services website. Once the designation is added, individuals will receive a designation card that they must carry with them to affirm organ donor status until they renew or replace their driver’s license or identification card.

Driver’s license and identification card holders, as well as registered vehicle owners, can also support organ donation programs by donating $3 to the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund at the time of application and/or renewal. Proceeds from the fund are used to educate and promote awareness of the organ donor program through non-profit organizations like CORE and the Gift of Life Donor Program.

As part of ongoing efforts to increase awareness of organ and tissue donation, ads encouraging organ donation regularly appear on the Motor Vehicle Network at driver license centers. For more information on organ and tissue donation in Pennsylvania or to sign up to become an organ donor, please visit www.donatelifepa.org, www.core.org or www.donors1.org. It only takes 30 seconds to save a life.