"In Kentucky, more than 140,000 people joined the Registry for the first time, and 1,979,175 Kentuckians are now registered which is 60% of the adults in our Commonwealth," said Graves Co. Circuit Clerk Emily Buzanis.
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 organization's 32-year history. Plus, more than 30,000 lives were enhanced by the generosity of the 367 tissue donors, and 1,000 patients have gained the gift of sight through from 824 cornea donors.
Buzanis said, "I am honored to partner with the lifesaving mission in which donors and their families give others a second chance at life. 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, 4,363 Graves County residents donated $1 for community education, and I am ecstatic to announce that 15,159 generous Graves County residents are now registered donors. Every registered donor is a bright symbol of hope for children and adults waiting on a lifesaving organ."
One of those waiting is 23-year-old Courtney Thompson, who has lived in Murray her entire life, and is on the waiting list for a double lung transplant due to cystic fibrosis.
"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. 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. I was listed for a transplant on December 29, 2016."
Courtney's lungs are currently functioning at 27 percent, so 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. No testing, no blood work, nothing. Just a simple 'YES'," explains Courtney. "That way people like me, whether it be a lung transplant, heart transplant, kidney transplant, liver transplant - could get another chance at life. Give them the life they never had because of a chronic illness holding them back from life. Give them the normal life they deserve, the one that they strive for, the one that normal people get to live. Give them breath, give them a heartbeat, give them a functioning kidney, or liver, give them sight so that they may see the world."
Courtney 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 (see link below). For more information about organ, tissue and cornea donation or to register as a donor, please visit www.trustforlife.org.
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. For
more information, call 1-866-945-5433, or email info@trustforlife.org.
On the Net:
KY Organ Donor Registry website
