A little over three years ago, my dad’s cousin, Andy Wilkins, underwent a double lung transplant. It was a life-changing event for Andy and his entire family, to say the least. It was because of the incredible work of organizations like Donate Life Kentucky, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, and Eye Bank of Kentucky, that this life-saving procedure was even possible.

Sadly however, not everyone on the transplant waiting list is as fortunate. The statistics are eye-opening for anyone not educated about the organ transplant process. In Kentucky communities alone, there are over 1,000 individuals waiting for their gift of life. And across theUnited States, more than 100,000 people are desperately waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Even the largest football stadium in America wouldn’t be able to accommodate the number of patients on the national transplant waiting list. Every eight minutes, another person is added to that list. Tragically, in 2021 alone, 6,000 people in the United States died while waiting for an organ transplant. That is an average of 17 lives lost every single day. The vast majority of patients on the waiting list, 85% to be exact, are in need of a kidney. This staggering demand highlights the urgent need for more organ donors and organ donor education.

So, why Donate Life? Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor can heal up to 50 lives. And, every year in Kentucky alone, over 1000 individuals have their eyesight restored through cornea transplants. The need for more donors is clear. And while 97% of Kentuckians have a positive view of organ donation and 85% express the willingness to donate, only 59% have actually joined the Kentucky organ donor registry. Donate Life needs our support to help bridge that gap.

And, Donate Life does not just focus on education about donation and registering organ donors. They also provide critical support and grief care to donor families through their Aftercare Program through the most difficult time of their lives.

On April 29, 2024, I will be running the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon with the goal of raising $10,000.00 in support of Donate Life Kentucky’s mission. Your contribution will help raise awareness about organ donation, provide vital resources for those awaiting transplants, and support donor families. Along with asking you to partner with me through your monetary donation, I also urge you to register as an organ donor if you haven’t done so already, at https://donatelifeky.org. Together, we can help Donate Life Kentucky give hope and save lives.