The leading cause of death for people 1 to 45 is accidents and the adverse effects resulting from accidents. Of all the causes of death due to accidents, the leading cause is motor vehicle accidents. My job is to help people plan for an unexpected death through the purchase of life insurance so their families won’t suffer financially.

But I think we all need to consider something that could do so much for others when our life ends. Sixteen people in the U.S. die each day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant that doesn’t come in time, and more than 85,000 people currently are awaiting a transplant.

In Illinois, legislation was signed into law in June 2005 and became effective January 1, creating the new First-Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry, which makes a person’s decision to be an organ/tissue donor legally binding. Additional witnesses or family consent are no longer required to carry out your wishes in the event of your death. Previously, many who signed donor cards were unaware that their families still had to give consent for donation to take place. One in five people who agreed to be an organ donor had his or her wishes overruled by family members. Family consent still is required for anyone under age 18, so it’s important to discuss the wishes of your students.

Illinois Procurement Agencies provide support to the families during the donation process. Once a potential donor is identified, procurement coordinators access the registry to determine whether the patient declared intent to donate. They’ll ask the family for medical and social history, which helps determine which organs and tissues may be transplanted, according to the donor wishes. It’s also possible to receive follow-up information after the donation, such as general information about recipients.

To become a donor, you must be 18. You can join the registry by visiting www.LifeGoesON.com; calling (800) 210-2106, or visiting your local Secretary of State facility. If you’re currently registered, you need to have your name added to the new registry.

This law is expected to save 100 more lives annually. Join the registry, and recycle yourself. TPW