DuBOIS — Nicole Lazaro, a representative from the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), spoke to DuBois students about the importance of organ, tissue and cornea donation.
She said CORE’s mission is to save and heal lives through donation and to build a culture of understanding through public education and community outreach.
“By helping people understand the importance of donation and encouraging them to register, we can offer hope to those waiting for a life-saving transplant while honoring the true heroes — the donors and their families,” she said.
Facts about donation
Lazaro shared several facts about organ donation:
More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.Every day, 20 people die without receiving the transplant they need.In CORE’s service region, approximately 2,600 people are waiting.One organ donor can save eight lives, and one tissue donor can heal up to 75 others.Someone new is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.
Lazaro emphasized that anyone — regardless of age, health, or background — can register as an organ donor.
She also addressed myths that often prevent people from signing up, stressing that:
Doctors always work to save a patient’s life and are not involved in transplantation decisions.Organ and tissue donation does not prevent an open-casket funeral.All major religions support donation or leave it to the individual.Donor families do not pay any costs related to donation.
Lazaro encouraged students to:
Register as an organ donor at RegisterMe.org/coreCheck “Yes” when renewing their driver’s licenseSpread awareness using #EveryoneCanGiveFollow @COREDonateLife on social media
