CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Roger Hanshaw is asking all West Virginians to take part in WV Donor Day, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of registered organ, eye and tissue donors.
“Right now, today, more than 500 of our fellow West Virginians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and we have the power to change that,” Speaker Hanshaw said. “On WV Donor Day, I encourage everyone in our great state to learn more about the power of donation and to take the simple but meaningful step of registering as a donor.”
WV Donor Day is observed annually on August 1 — a date chosen to highlight a remarkable truth: One organ donor can save as many as eight lives. The initiative is led by Donate Life West Virginia in partnership with the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) and community organizations across the state. WV Donor Day is designed to inspire education, advocacy and action all focused on the lifesaving impact of donation.
“West Virginians have always stood up for one another in times of need,” Speaker Hanshaw said. “By registering as organ donors, we show that spirit of solidarity and potentially give the gift of life.”
There are many ways West Virginians can participate in WV Donor Day:
- Register as an organ donor at dlwv.org, at your local DMV, or when applying for your West Virginia Hunting & Fishing License;
- Wear blue and green (the colors of donation) and share your support on social media using the hashtag #WVDonorDay;
- Share your story or the story of a loved one who has been impacted by donation;
- Encourage others to register and help amplify the message of hope and healing.
“This isn’t just a national issue,” Speaker Hanshaw added. “These are our neighbors, colleagues and family members who are affected by the shortage of registered donors. Together, we can give hope to hundreds of West Virginians and thousands more across the country.”
To learn more about WV Donor Day and how you can help, visit www.donatelifewv.org/wvdonorday.
