Vermont organ donation advocates encourage people to register
In Burlington, New England Donor Services, organ donation recipients, and state officials came together to raise awareness about the importance of registering to donate.According to NEDS, there are more than 5,000 people in New England in need of an organ or tissue transplant, and over 115,000 people nationally.NEDS connects people with matches and educates people about the importance of donation.”Registering as an organ donor is the idea of hope and optimism to help someone else’s life,” said Matt Boger, the senior director of government relations with NEDS.State officials highlighted the growing number of Vermonters signing up, and they welcomed donor families and recipients to share their stories.Lara Grell is one of those recipients. She received a double lung transplant in 2017, after living with a genetic lung disease.”It was hard to breathe, participate in activities, and live the life that I wanted,” said Grell.Grell said that getting the donation and transplant changed her life.”Now I get to go hiking and traveling and kayaking. I got married last year, and I get to continue my work as a licensed therapist for mental health and help others… I’m so grateful that my donor said yes to organ donation, and that his family was able to respect and honor his wishes,” said Grell.Geoff Crawford talked about his family’s connection to donation, which began when his daughter’s organs were donated after her death.”In our daughter’s case, the world was filled with wonder and opportunities to learn … donating her organs was the final chapter in a life filled with kindness,” said Crawford.To commend the growing number of people registering to be donors,Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak gave a proclamation, thanking organ donors, their families, and the community for promoting this important work.Thinking about becoming an organ donor? Visit a local DMV or visit the national register.
In Burlington, New England Donor Services, organ donation recipients, and state officials came together to raise awareness about the importance of registering to donate.
According to NEDS, there are more than 5,000 people in New England in need of an organ or tissue transplant, and over 115,000 people nationally.
NEDS connects people with matches and educates people about the importance of donation.
“Registering as an organ donor is the idea of hope and optimism to help someone else’s life,” said Matt Boger, the senior director of government relations with NEDS.
State officials highlighted the growing number of Vermonters signing up, and they welcomed donor families and recipients to share their stories.
Lara Grell is one of those recipients. She received a double lung transplant in 2017, after living with a genetic lung disease.
“It was hard to breathe, participate in activities, and live the life that I wanted,” said Grell.
Grell said that getting the donation and transplant changed her life.
“Now I get to go hiking and traveling and kayaking. I got married last year, and I get to continue my work as a licensed therapist for mental health and help others… I’m so grateful that my donor said yes to organ donation, and that his family was able to respect and honor his wishes,” said Grell.
Geoff Crawford talked about his family’s connection to donation, which began when his daughter’s organs were donated after her death.
“In our daughter’s case, the world was filled with wonder and opportunities to learn … donating her organs was the final chapter in a life filled with kindness,” said Crawford.
To commend the growing number of people registering to be donors,
Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak gave a proclamation, thanking organ donors, their families, and the community for promoting this important work.
Thinking about becoming an organ donor? Visit a local DMV or visit the national register.
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