April is the month to step up as a donor

April is National Donate Life Month and the perfect time to designate your wishes to become an organ, eye or tissue donor. As I write, there are 107,068 people nationwide on the organ transplant waiting list (584 in Iowa). Because of the 18 people who die every day waiting for lifesaving organ transplant, I encourage you to become a donor.

In Iowa, there are two easy steps to becoming an organ and tissue donor. First, say “yes” to organ donation on your driver's license, register with the Iowa Donor Registry at www.IowaDonorRegistry.org or call toll-free (877) 366-6742.

Second, talk to your family about your wishes.

I also invite you to support the 2010 Iowa Transplant Open golf benefit to be held May 22in Muscatine at Geneva Golf & Country Club. Our featured guests are broadcaster Gary Dolphin, “Voice of the Hawkeyes,” and former Hawkeye Brandon Meyers, now playing for the Oakland Raiders.

I received a liver transplant in 2000 from an amazing young man by the name of Steven Toth, who died 11 days before his 22nd birthday. I can never find a way to make up for my donor family's loss and repay them for their selfless act of making my second chance at life possible.

For me, promoting organ donation or “paying it forward” is a way of ensuring that this chain of giving to others will continue beyond the span of our lives.

Please say “yes” to organ, eye and tissue donation.

Kim Burdakin

Muscatine