Here are some ideas to help you explain your decision to your loved ones. Remember, it's important for your family to support your commitment. Tell your family that they are an important part of a personal decision that you want to share with them.
- Explain why you want to become a donor. Let them know that organ, tissue and eye donation is consistent with your life values and feels like the right thing to do.
- Explain how one donor can potentially help more than 50 other people. Donation can dramatically improve--even save-- the lives of those suffering from organ failure, bone defects, burns or blindness.
- Tell them that the more donors there are, the more lives can be saved. People of all ages, races and economic backgrounds are waiting for organ and tissue transplants. More than 50,000 Americans are awaiting life-saving organs, while hundreds of thousands more could benefit from tissue transplants. Tragically, thousands of these people die each year for lack of donors.
- Ask your family to witness your decision. If you have already signed a donor card or indicated your decision on your driver's license, show it to them. If not, have them sign your donor card as your witness.