Every 11 minutes another person in added to the donor transplant waiting list.  There are currently over 105,000 people on that list.  Over 900 of those are South Carolinians.  Until now, there has not been a list or a registry in South Carolina for those who want to register to be donors. Historically, signing a donor card and getting the red heart on one’s driver’s license served as an important symbol of intent to be a donor, however, neither action actually placed the individual’s name on a list or registry.

Per House Bill 3317, signed into law by Governor Mark Sanford on June 14, 2007, the South Carolina Organ and Tissue Donor Registry has been established. Launched in January 2009, the registry is maintained by Donate Life South Carolina. It enables individuals to express their legal consent to become an organ and tissue donor. The registry guarantees that the plans of registered donors will be carried out following death.

The disturbing fact that every 11 minutes another person is added to the transplant waiting list prompted the branding for the registry and the new Every11Minutes registry Web site. Beginning Jan. 14, 2009, individuals who want to register to become donors can do so on the secure online South Carolina Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by visiting www.Every11Minutes.org or www. donatelifesc.org.

With a renewed and vital partnership between DLSC and the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), all individuals who renew or apply for a driver’s license or ID also will have the opportunity to register their consent to be a donor in South Carolina’s registry. A red heart enclosed in a circular symbol will be printed on the applicant’s driver license or ID card. Registrants can even update/change their DMV Donor Registration by logging onto the secure online registry. You have the power to Donate Life. Sign up today to become an organ and tissue donor. One person’s generosity can save up to eight lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of another 50 people through tissue donation. Working Together to Save Lives www.Every11Minutes.org 1- 87- PassItOn .