New License Plate Promotes Organ Donation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2010) − Every day, 18 people die waiting for a transplant of a vital organ such as a heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, lung or bone marrow. To raise awareness about the organ and tissue donation, the Second Chance at Life organization recently received approval from the Kentucky Department of Transportation for a specialty license plate.

The Second Chance of Life organization, composed primarily of Kentucky organ recipients and donor family members, must secure 900 applications by October 2010 before the plate will be manufactured. 

More than 104,000 patients in the United States, including 298 listed at the UK Chandler Transplant Center, are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and more than 4,000 new patients are added to the waiting list each month.

“I am so proud to be part of this effort to further increase awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation,” said Andreas Price, a two-time kidney recipient and son of an organ donor. “Our hope is that many Kentuckians will support our efforts, and order a Donate Life license plate.” Price is a member of Second Chance at Life and led the two-year effort to obtain approval for the license plates from the Kentucky Department of Transportation.

“The Donate Life license plate will serve as a reminder that each of us can save lives through organ and tissue donation,” said Jenny Jones, director of education for Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates. “The plate will also honor those who have given the Gift of Life. We further hope the plate will remind people to save lives by joining the Kentucky Donor Registry online or when they renew their driver's license."

To join the Kentucky Donor Register online visit www.donatelifeky.org. To purchase the Donate Life license plate download the application at www.kyorgandonor.org. The application must be accompanied by a $25 check mailed to the address on the form.