With April being Donate Life Month, UW Health is encouraging everyone to sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
More than 108,000 adults and children in the United States are currently awaiting an organ transplant.
That includes 1,500 people in Wisconsin and 4,400 people in Illinois.
Most people on the waitlist are in need of a kidney.
Unfortunately, many of these people will never receive a second chance at life, as more than 13 people die each day on the waiting list, according to Michael Anderson, executive director, UW Organ and Tissue Donation.
More than 170 million people in the U.S. are registered organ donors, but only a small number will pass away in a manner that makes deceased donation possible.
This is why expanding the pool of potential donors is so important.
People who are already registered donors or planning to register for the first time are encouraged to discuss any questions with a trusted health care provider, including their primary care provider.
Resources such as Donate Life Wisconsin and organdonor.gov also offer clear, reliable information about the donation process.
