CHI St. Joseph’s Recognized For Organ Donor Registration Work

Nearly 120,000 people in the United States are waiting right now for an organ transplant. CHI St. Joseph’s Health was recently recognized for its work increasing donor registration and registry awareness.

CHI St. Joseph’s was awarded Platinum recognition through the Health Resources and Services Administration Workplace Partnership for Life Hospital Campaign. The hospital worked with the group LifeSource to educate doctors, patients and the community about donor registration. There are other was to become a donor than just the dot on your license. Even letting family know your wishes to donate can ensure that happens. Part of their work was to end certain misconceptions that may deter people from donating.The hospital added 400,000 donors to the nationwide registry since 2011. In the event of a death at the hospital, LifeSource also contacts the family to see if there’s an interest in donating.

Despite the addition of so many new donors, in the event of their death, most people will not qualify to have their vital organs donated. In a smaller hospital like St Joseph’s any time there is a donation, it is a profound experience for all involved.

With so many people on the waiting list, the more people who do sign up, the better.

According to LifeSource, 62% of adult Minnesotans have signed up to be a donor. However, a new name is added to transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

If you are interested in registering, you can do so at www.OrganDonor.gov.