The Kentucky Circuit Clerks’ Trust For Life has announced that last year was a record-setting year, both locally and nationally, for saving lives through organ donation and giving individuals a second chance at life.
David Martin
“In Kentucky, more than 140,000 people joined the Registry for the first time,” said Boone County Circuit Clerk, David Martin.
Sixty percent of Kentuckians (1.97 million adults) are now registered in the Commonwealth, according to Martin.
Nationally, the 36,527 organs transplanted set an annual record for the sixth straight year, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing.
Locally, Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates cared for 134 organ donors resulting in 423 organs transplanted. These were the highest numbers of organ donors and organs transplanted in the organ procurement organization’s 32-year history. Also, more than 30,000 lives were enhanced by the generosity of the 367 tissue donors. An additional 1,000 patients have gained the gift of sight through from 824 cornea donors.
“As Circuit Court Clerk, I am honored to partner with the lifesaving mission in which donors and their families give others a second chance at life,” said Martin. “I am proud of my deputies for asking each customer about joining the registry and donating $1 toward increasing education about organ donation. In 2018, 13,379 supportive Boone County residents donated $1 for community education.”
Thompson
The Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust for Life is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that informs, education and encourages Kentuckians to be registered organ and tissue donors to save lives.
“I am ecstatic to announce that 74,678 generous Boone County residents are now registered donors,” Martin said. “ Every registered donor is a bright symbol of hope for children and adults waiting on a lifesaving organ.”
One of those waiting is Courtney Thompson, 23, who has been on the waiting list for a double lung transplant due to cystic fibrosis, since Dec. 29, 2016. Thompson has lived in Murray in Calloway County her entire life.
“Living in a small town you would never think that there is someone from your small town who needs a transplant or who suffers from such a horrible disease, however that is the story here,” Thompson said. “Every day I strive to be an advocate for organ donation and an advocate for cystic fibrosis, which is a progressive genetic lung disease. For me to beat cystic fibrosis I will need a lifesaving double lung transplant.”
Thompson’s lungs are currently functioning at 27 percent. She survives on 3 liters of oxygen. She said she is thankful for her family, friends and her coworkers who provide her with an invaluable support system. She said that the best way to help anyone in her situation is simple.
“Be a registered organ donor. It’s the simplest thing to do in your life. When you go up to your Circuit Court Clerk’s office, say ‘YES’ when they ask you if you would like to be registered. That’s all it takes, said Thompson. “When you say ‘YES’ you give someone the ultimate chance of the gift of life. That way people like me, whether it be a lung transplant, heart transplant, kidney transplant, liver transplant – could get another chance at life”
Thompson sends heartfelt thanks to all those who choose to donate life by joining the Kentucky Donor Registry at their local Circuit Court Clerk’s office or online at www.donatelifeky.org. For more information about organ, tissue and cornea donation or to register as a donor, please visit www.trustforlife.org.
For more information about the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust for Life, call 1-866-945-5433, email info@trustforlife.org or go to www.trustforlife.org.
Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks’ Trust For Life
