Tennessee works to increase tissue, organ donor registration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — State leaders are calling on Tennesseans to help save lives.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee Donor Services and the Mid-South Transplant Foundation, Inc. are coming together for the “Be the Gift Tennessee Challenge.”

The challenge aims to increase organ and tissue donor registrations from now to the end of the year, the release from the state says.

The challenge is aimed at all Driver Services Centers in the state, which is where most people register to be a donor.

“Just by simply asking a question, they’re not only giving the people in front of them the opportunity of saving a life, but they are also giving hope to the more than 3,000 people across Tennessee waiting on a transplant,” said Deana Clapper, Associate Executive Director of Tennessee Donor Services.

The release says that one organ donor can save up to eight lives, while one tissue donor help over 75 people.

“We think about the loved ones whose lives have been saved by a donor,” said Commissioner Jeff Long. “We also think about the loved ones who have given the gift of life through a donation. Our Driver Services Division is devoted and committed to ensure Tennesseans have the opportunity to become organ and tissue donors.”

The release says that that the center with the most registrations will be recognized in 2022.

You can find more news from across the state here.