MECHANICSBURG, PA — In recognition of PA Donor Day, state officials recently joined healthcare leaders and advocates at UPMC West Shore to promote organ donation awareness and encourage Pennsylvanians to register as organ donors.
The annual observance, held on August 1, symbolizes the lifesaving potential of one donor — the ability to save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve up to 75 more through tissue donation. Currently, more than 6,000 residents across Pennsylvania are awaiting organ transplants.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen, a former pediatrician, emphasized the transformative impact of organ donation. “Children and families were given a new lease on life thanks to the selfless action of someone they often never met,” she said, calling for more residents to enroll in the donor registry.
According to UPMC Central Pa.’s Dr. Manish Gupta, only about half of eligible Pennsylvanians are currently registered donors. He attributed the gap largely to limited public understanding, despite major advances in donation safety and accessibility.
The Shapiro Administration is working to close this gap. Through a partnership with Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, the state supports an Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Project aimed at helping students make informed choices when applying for a driver’s license.
Executive Deputy Secretary of PennDOT Larry Shifflet reminded residents that donor registration can be done at any time — not just during license renewal. There is no fee to add the designation to an ID, and online registration takes less than 90 seconds.
Leaders from donor organizations echoed the urgency of action. “The shortage of registered organ donors is a public health crisis — but it’s one we can all help solve,” said Richard D. Hasz, Jr., CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program. Susan Stuart, CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE), added that PA Donor Day serves to inspire compassion and honor the generosity of donor families.
With more than five million residents already registered, state officials hope this year’s PA Donor Day will help drive those numbers higher — and save more lives.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.