#GotHeart? Valentine's Day is also a day of awareness for organ donation
LOS ANGELES - February 14th is a day all about love-- but it's also a day about giving. Valentine's Day is also National Donor's Day.
National Donor's Day was established in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to raise awareness for organ, eye, tissue, marrow, platelet and blood donation. According to donoralliance.org, nearly 120,000 patients are on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, and countless others are in need of cornea, bone marrow, and tissue donations.
It's the perfect time to participate in blood or marrow drives or donor registration events. It is also a day to recognize our loved ones who have given the gift of donation, have received a donation, are currently waiting or did not receive an organ in time.
You can also use the hashtag "Got Heart" to share your story about why donation and transplantation are important to you. This February 14th, help spread the love-- and spread donor awareness!