Simple and life-saving: Becoming an organ donor

JACKSON, Tenn. — Becoming an organ donor really is a simple process, and can be done at your local driver services center when getting a drivers’ license or ID. We visited the Jackson center to learn more.

“When they come in to fill that need, we provide them with the opportunity to register as an organ donor by simply asking the question if they would like to become an organ donor today,” said Holly Powers, District Manager of Jackson Area Driver Services.

If your license or ID  is already valid and good to go, but you just want to register as a donor, that is also an easy process.

“No, they don’t need to bring anything specific,” said Felicia Curry, Branch Manager, Jackson Drivers License Service Station. “They just need to simply say ‘I would like to be an organ donor.’ Of course, that is part of our application process to ask them if they would like to help save lives.”

Byron Elam with Tennessee Donor Services spoke with us about the importance of organ donors.

“We currently have about 3,000 Tennesseans who are on the waitlist for an organ transplant,” Elam said. “About 100,000 Americans. The only way that we can meet their need for an organ is through transplant and donation.”

He also told us about the partnership they have with driver services centers all over Tennessee.

“Over 90% of all of our registrations come from when people come and visit a driver service center. Without our partners here, we could not save the lives that we do everyday,” Elam said.

Last year, over 30 people in need of a donor were served, saving dozens of lives.

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