For Immediate Release                                                             

October 2, 2009

Contact: 

Ashley Davis

1-800-200-2672

adavis@carolinadonorservices.org

World Day of Organ Donation to take place on October 4, 2009

Critical need for donation across the globe and in N.C.

Durham, North Carolina – (October 2, 2009)… World Day of Organ Donation will take place October 4, 2009, at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.  The World Day of Organ Donation aims at drawing attention to the worldwide shortage of donor organs, raising public awareness about organ donation, and motivating everyone to make a decision.  In recent years, Asia and South America have been venues for this large festival that includes well known bands, musicians and guest speakers and brings a broad awareness for organ donation and the scarcity of organs.    

Currently, over 103,000 people are waiting for a transplant across the United States, with over 3,000 people from North Carolina alone.  Approximately 18 people die every day awaiting a life-saving transplant.  The World Day of Organ Donation day will serve to inform everyone across the globe of the critical need for donation using the motto, “You have the power to donate life – be an organ donor.”

For more information about donation and to register to be a donor in North Carolina, visit www.donatelifenc.org.

About Carolina Donor Services

Carolina Donor Services is the federally-designated, non-profit organ and tissue donation organization serving 6.1 million people in 78 counties of North Carolina and Danville, Virginia.  Carolina Donor Services maximizes the passing of the heroic gift of life from one human being to another through organ and tissue donation.  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.  For more information, visit www.carolinadonorservices.org; call 1-800-200-2672 or write 3621 Lyckan Parkway, Durham, NC 27707.

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