STORY SUMMARY
Philadelphia’s Gift of Life Donor Program is urging Pennsylvanians to sign up as organ and tissue donors on PA Donor Day, an initiative aiming to save lives. Highlighted by CBS News Philadelphia, volunteer ambassador Cynthia London, who turned her son’s tragic death into a mission of hope, and heart transplant recipient Earl Jones shared their personal stories to emphasize the critical importance of donor registration. The organization is embarking on a campaign to register 50,000 new donors in honor of its 50th anniversary, stressing that each donor can potentially save eight lives and improve the quality of life for over 100 people. With around 5,000 people currently on the transplant waiting list in the tri-state area and over 100,000 nationally, the need for donors is urgent. Registration is simple and can be completed online in less than a minute at donors1.org.
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FULL STORY
Today marks PA Donor Day, a significant event urging Pennsylvanians to consider registering as organ and tissue donors—a decision that could potentially save lives. Spearheading this initiative is the Gift of Life Donor Program based in Philadelphia, with a clear mission that no one should die waiting for a transplant. To amplify their message, the organization is leveraging personal stories from individuals deeply impacted by donor transplants.
One such advocate is Cynthia London, who turned her son’s tragic death into a beacon of hope for others. Her son, SEO, was killed at the age of 22, and through the donation of his organs, six lives were saved. For nearly 30 years, London has been an Ambassador for the Gift of Life Donor Program, passionately promoting the importance of organ donation. Earl Jones, another proponent of the cause, shares his experience of receiving a life-saving heart transplant after suffering from congestive heart failure at just 30 years old. Now, both London and Jones are involved in a campaign to register 50,000 new donors over the next year in honor of the program’s 50th Anniversary.
With approximately 5,000 people in the tri-state area awaiting transplants and over 100,000 nationally, the need is pressing. One donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and improve the quality of life for over 100 individuals through tissue transplantation. The process of signing up online is quick, taking less than a minute, yet it could turn someone into a hero, much like London’s son SEO, whose name fittingly means ‘gift of hope.’ Those interested in becoming organ and tissue donors can register online or make the designation on their driver’s license.
