Lions Save Lives
Lions Gift of Sight and Donate Life Minnesota are partnering to increase the number of Minnesotans who are registered as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Right now, more than 2,300 people in our state are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Lions club members have a unique opportunity to show their strong values and lead the way in making an impact in the lives of others by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor through the Lions Save Lives campaign. If you haven’t registered, take the leap and register today!
Why Donation Matters
Have you ever wondered how donation and transplant could impact the people in your life?
Right now, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant
Average number of transplants per day in 2022 in the United States
Unfortunately, while more men need transplants, they're about 10% less likely to register as a donor
Show your pride as a registered donor.
Don’t leave it to your neighbors to do the Lion’s share of the work when it comes to saving lives. Registering to be a donor is a small gesture with a big impact. In fact, one donor can save up to 75 lives!
Check the box when you get your driver’s license or take a few minutes and register online.
We know registering as a donor comes with many questions. Here are some answers to help you make the best decision for you.
Every person has the right to sign up to donate their organs, eyes and tissues at the time of their death. Because becoming a donor is rare, there is a need for more people to register and increase the odds that everyone in need will receive a transplant.
Your age or health does not prevent you from registering. Most health conditions do not prevent donation and age is not a factor. Medical advances now allow people with many chronic conditions to donate. Don’t rule yourself out – register!
All major religions in the U.S. support donation and consider it to be a generous and compassionate act of caring. Donation organizations coordinate with families and hospitals to make sure the donor’s beliefs, practices and ceremonies are respected.
Yes. If you are taken to the hospital after an accident or injury, it’s the hospital’s number one priority to save YOUR life. Your status as a donor is not even considered until every effort has been made to try to save your life.
The waiting list is actually a pool of people. Factors such as blood type, body size, location, severity of illness and length of time on the waiting list are used to determine the best candidate for an organ.
While the cornea (the clear tissue in the front of the eye) is the only part of the eye regularly transplanted, the sclera (white of the eye) can also be used in some surgeries. Corneal transplants are one of the most frequently performed transplants. They restore sight and improve quality of life so that people can reclaim their lives, benefiting patients from newborn to 103 years old!
There are many questions and myths around organ, eye and tissue donation. Unfortunately, people often disqualify themselves as potential donors by citing misconceptions. Check out these videos to get the facts and learn more about how you can share the gift of life.
