By Southern Torch Staff
PHOTO: Southern Torch was pleased to attend a luncheon honoring the efforts of the DeKalb County Probate Office in organ donation. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Legacy of Hope, Alabama’s only organ procurement organization, celebrates National DMV Appreciation Week, September 23-27, 2019. This week is dedicated to thanking the DMVs across the state for their commitment to asking the donor registration question to DMV customers every day. Over 98 percent of all people who register to donate in Alabama do so through a driver’s license or ID card transaction. DMV offices and their employees play an invaluable role in increasing the number of registered organ, eye and tissue donors. Through their dedication to the Donate Life mission, DMV leadership and staff help save and heal lives.
As of June 1, 2019, 38 percent of Alabama’s licensed drivers have made the decision to save lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. The donor registry rates in Alabama continue to rise because of the commitment of our partners in the DMV offices and the generosity of our citizens.
Two counties have registry rates at or above 50 percent:
- Shelby County, 53 percent
- Baldwin County, 50 percent
Several counties have participated in Donate Life t-shirt days or hosted donation events in their office to raise awareness in their communities and deserve special recognition:
- Autauga County
- Coffee County
- DeKalb County
- Geneva County
- Greene County
- Henry County
- Jackson County
- Lee County
- Morgan County
Two counties stand out for being the most improved:
- Marion County
- Morgan County
“We would not be successful in our mission to heal and save lives,” states Chris Meeks, executive director Legacy of Hope, “without the dedication and support of our DMV partners. The donor registry serves as the voice of the individual when they can no longer speak for themselves and provides comfort to the family in knowing that their loved one’s wishes were honored.”
The mission of Legacy of Hope is to end the wait and the suffering by shepherding the gift of life to those in need of organ and tissue transplants. We cannot do this without the support of our communities and the great people staffing DMVs across the state.
About Legacy of Hope: Legacy of Hope, Alabama’s Organ & Tissue Donation Alliance, is a non-profit organization federally designated to evaluate and procure deceased donor organs. Founded in 1979, Legacy of Hope is a mission-driven organization that builds broad-reaching alliances to educate people about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation, and inspire them to become donors. Visit LegacyofHope.org