For more than a decade, the month of April has been about saving and healing lives. Donate life champions across the country fill the month of April with powerful testimonials to demonstrate the lifesaving message of donation and transplantation. The goal of the National Donate Life Month is to make “life” possible by educating and motivating individuals to register their decision to be organ, eye, and tissue donors.

One of those champions is Clinton County Circuit Court Clerk, Jake Staton. “This April is especially momentous because Kentucky has a very exciting announcement to make. I am honored to share that Kentucky has surpassed the national goal. Today, 50 percent of Kentuckians are registered donors. This is a point of pride for our Commonwealth and a symbol of hope for all those waiting for lifesaving transplants.”

Since 2007, the Circuit Court Clerks and their deputies have asked every Kentuckian getting a driver’s license or ID to join the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry. “It’s a question we are required to ask, but knowing what a difference it makes to families gives this question greater meaning. Joining the confidential registry is stating your willingness to save lives, if you can. Every person who says ‘yes’ gives hope and shows support for patients in need,” says Staton.

Since 1992, the Clinton Circuit Clerk’s Office has worked for this mission by collecting $1 for the Trust For Life’s educational initiatives. The number of people in need of transplants continues to outpace the number of organs donated. More than 121,000 people are waiting for a transplant and a second chance at life. On average, 22 people die each day because the organ they need is not donated in time. Regardless of age or medical history, everyone can register to be a hero.

Donation and Transplantation Statistics:

* It is estimated that nearly 30,000 patients began new lives in 2015 thanks to organ transplants (from 8,500 deceased to 6,000 living donors).

* 121,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants. More than 1,000 of them are 10 years old or younger.

* About 58 percent of patients awaiting lifesaving organ transplants are minorities.

* Another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

* Sadly, 800 people die each year–22 people each day–because organs they need are not donated in time.

* The average waiting time for a kidney from a deceased donor is three to five years. A kidney from a living donor offers patients an alternative to years of dialysis and time on the national transplant waiting list.

* Around 13 percent of patients waiting are in need of a liver. Living donation of part of the liver is an option for these patients; the remaining portion will regenerate and regain full function. Partial lung, intestine and pancreas living donation are possible as well.

* More than 33 percent of all deceased donors are age 50 or older; more than five percent are age 65 or older.

* Each year, there are approximately 30,000 tissue donors and more than one million tissue transplants; the surgical need for donated tissue is steadily rising.

* A single tissue donor can help more than 50 people.

* 48,000 patients have their sight restored through corneal transplants each year.

* More than 121 million people, approximately 51 percent of the U.S. adult population, are registered organ, eye and tissue donors.

* To register your decision to save and heal lives, visit www.DonateLife.net.

* Living donation is not covered by a donor registration.

(Data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) through December 31, 2015.)

Everyone can register to make life possible at www.donatelife.ky.org or call the Trust For Life with questions or help registering at 1-866-945-5433.

(The Kentucky Circuit Clerks’ Trust For life is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that informs, educates, and encourages Kentuckians to be registered organ and tissue donors to save lives. For more information call 1-866-945-5433, email info@trustforlife.org or go to www.trustforlife.org.)