October 18, 2006

NATION CROSSES RELIGIOUS BOUNDARIES FOR LIFESAVING CAUSE
South Carolina Congregations Unite to Raise Awareness for Organ Donation

Regardless of religious affiliation, congregations and houses of worship across the nation will recognize the life-saving benefits of organ donation on November 10-12, 2006. This is in honor of National Donor Sabbath, an ecumenical celebration of life that reminds congregations of their faiths’ support of donation.

Though religious beliefs differ between denominations, the underlying theme – that organ and tissue donation is one of the highest forms of giving – directly correlates with the principle upon which most religions are based.

Observation of National Donor Sabbath is an opportunity for religious communities to touch the lives of millions of people. More than 92,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for a transplant, and the number continues to grow at a rate of 17 people per day.

In South Carolina:
• 669 people are on the waiting list
• 90% of these people are in need of a kidney
• 30% of those needing a kidney are African America
• In 2005, only 229 people on South Carolina’s waiting list received organs

The solution to this problem is simple: encourage South Carolinians to commit to being an organ and tissue donor and remind them to tell a family member about their decision. This is the goal of National Donor Sabbath.

For more information about National Donor Sabbath, to arrange an interview with a donor family member or transplant recipient, or simply learn more about organ and tissue donation contact Donate Life SC at 1-87-PASS-IT-ON or www.donatelifesc.org.

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