Web makes organ donation easier

It seems simple enough: Donate organs. Save lives.

There are more then 97,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a transplant, including more than 7,000 Texans. Every 13 minutes, a new name is added to the national transplant waiting list. Every day, 19 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has an online state registry where Texans can officially register as organ, tissue and eye donors.

"One donor can save or enhance the lives of more than 50 people with gifts of organs, tissues and eyes," said Evelyn Delgado, a DSHS assistant commissioner. "The website makes it easier for people to get their facts about organ donation and decide if registering as a donor is right for them."

Before the registry, there was no official state list in Texas of people who agreed to be donors. Previously, Texans could sign a donor card and place a "donor" sticker on their driver's license. This served as an important symbol of the person's intent, but the information was not included on any official list or registry. This changed in 2005 with the creation of a statewide registry.

Texans can now sign up to be an organ donor by visiting www.DonateLifeTexas.org or at a local Department of Public Safety office when applying for or renewing a driver's license or identification card.

The online registration process is simple and fast.

Fill out the online registration form. You can indicate which organs or tissue donations you consent to.

A confirmation letter requiring your signature and that of two witnesses will be mailed to you within 10 business days.

Sign and send the letter back in the postage-paid envelope provided. For information, phone (800) 222-3986.