There’s an urgent need for organ and tissue donors

(WFSB) – April is Donate for Life Month, highlighting the urgent need for organ and tissue donors.

Every eight minutes, someone joins the transplant waiting list, which currently has more than 103,000 people on it in the U.S.

The need hits home for Keith and Beth Tautkus of Ellington. Their 18-year-old son, Austin, passed away in a tragic accident in 2014.

Austin’s decision to be a donor, made when he got his driver’s license at the Connecticut DMV, had a profound impact. His selfless act saved six lives, ranging from teens to 55, and brought hope to many families.

Despite the loss, the Tautkus family remains resilient. Keith Tautkus, Austin’s dad, recalls how Austin’s presence would energize the room. “We miss him every day. You never get over that part of it, but we do things to help us get through it,” he says, reflecting the family’s strength in the face of tragedy.

They find comfort in knowing Austin died with a plan to help others live.

“It was something that Austin wanted to do; he wanted to be an organ donor,” said Austin’s mom, Beth.

After his passing, Austin’s organs saved six lives, including a mom and a child. According to the New England Donor Services, Austin’s eye donation helped someone regain sight, and his skin and tissue donations helped over 100 others.

That gift of life and second chances is crucial to the thousands waiting for a donor.

“There are over one hundred thousand people who desperately need a life-saving transplant, and 16 people die every day because there’s such a shortage of organs available,” said Caitlyn Bernabucci with New England Donor Services. “One person can help 75 people through tissue donation through heart valves and skin and bone. It’s remarkable.”

“Knowing that some of the people who received his organs were young, it made it easier for us to know their life was going to be better because of it,” Beth said.

The Tautkus family’s advocacy for organ donation is making a significant impact.

By sharing Austin’s story, they inspire more people to become registered organ donors, potentially saving countless lives.

Every April, they raise awareness through donation awareness events, leading team Austin’s Angels at the annual Blue & Green Walk/5K in Bloomfield. This year marks the 10th anniversary of their first walk, held just months after Austin passed away.

“My daughter Katie has a crew that comes. They have children that come, pushing them in strollers, and friends of mine that I grew up with next door, my brother, his sister, we are all out there in his memory,” Beth explained.

“Getting involved made a world of difference. It was one of the things that helped us get through the tragedy of losing Austin,” Keith said.

You can join Austin’s team and support the Donate Life message on Sunday, April 27, at the 11th annual Blue & Green Walk/5K on Griffin Road in Bloomfield.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. The Kids Fun Run, a fun and engaging event for children, begins at 9:15 a.m. The main race, the Blue & Green Walk/5 K, starts at 10 a.m. It’s a great opportunity to show your support for organ donation and enjoy a day of community and support.

You can find more information here.

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