By Nathan Fligelman

National Donor Day, also known as National Organ Donor Day, is annually observed on February 14th to increase awareness about organ donation and the lives it saves. It was initiated in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partner, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations.

National Donor Day focuses on all types of donations – organ, tissue, marrow, platelets and blood. Individuals are encouraged to get involved by learning about donations, spreading awareness (Donate Life America has some great resources) or registering to become a donor yourself!

Registering now to donate organs and tissue means you’ll be making a powerful and important commitment to posthumously help a patient in need. But you can also make an immediate impact by registering to donate bone marrow or scheduling an appointment to donate blood and platelets.  

Bone marrow donation is phenomenal way to help patients dealing with a multitude of conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia. Patients are matched with compatible donors who part of the Be The Match registry. The more people who register, the more likely doctors can find a match for their patients. Once a match is made, the donor is contacted to begin the process.  

Transplant surgeries – along with many other conditions – often require blood transfusions, and many cancer patients need platelet transfusions during their treatments. Giving blood or platelets, especially on Valentine’s Day, can be the most loving gift of all! Blood drives are held daily across the country; visit RedCrossBlood.org to find one near you!