4.26.2009

First Person Consent

Georgia is now a first person consent state. This means that if you go to Donate Life Georgia and sign the donor registry, you have stated that you want to be an organ donor and your wish may be carried out. As of right now, LifeLink, the organ procurement agency, will still talk to your family. LifeLink will honor the wishes of your family at a time when decision making is no doubt difficult. That is why it is so important that you discuss your wishes with your family. If your family knows your wishes, the decision will be less stressful if the time should ever come that it has to be made.

Please make sure that you have this discussion with your family. Do not rely on the registry or on your driver's license to make sure you are an organ donor. Go to the Donate Life Georgia website and join the registry, then have that discussion with your family. I know that it may be difficult and a hard topic to discuss, but if the time comes that the decision has to be made, make sure that you had a voice. Do the research and make an educated decision. Organ donation saved my life, and I am thankful for those who make the choice to become an organ donor. The decision rests on you, but be sure you make the decision for yourself.

Let me know in the comments if you are an organ donor.