Title: Everyone knows that February 14th is Valentine's Day, but did you know it's also National Donor Day?

Date: February 03, 2010

Share your love for others on Valentine's Day by registering as a donor.

February 14th is not only Valentine’s Day but National Donor Day. National Donor Day honors those who have donated organs, tissues, marrow and blood to save the lives of others through increasing awareness and encouraging Americans to make donations. Valentine’s Day is the day of love and donation is the gift of life. So on the day of love, give the gift of life, make February 14th, 2010 the day you join thousands of Americans in making the donation decision.

There is an overwhelming need for donors: - In North Carolina, over 3,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant, and nationally, over 105,000 people are on the organ waiting list. One person has the ability to save eight lives through organ donation and enhance more than 50 lives through tissue donation. - Approximately 35,000 children and adults in our country have life-threatening blood diseases that could be treated by a marrow/blood stem cell or cord blood transplant. - Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, more than 39,000 units each day, according to the American Red Cross.

To participate in National Donor Day, take part in one of these activities: - Register as an organ and eye donor by having a heart placed on your driver’s license at the DMV, or register as an organ, eye and tissue donor online at www.donatelifenc.org, or by completing a paper enrollment form and returning it to Donate Life North Carolina. Make sure your family knows your wishes. - Join the National Registry of potential volunteer marrow and blood stem cell donors. Learn how you can donate your baby’s umbilical cord blood stem cells at birth. - Donate blood.