Empowering employees to save lives, even off the clock
The need for organ donors is starkly evident: every day in the U.S. 17 people die while waiting on life-saving transplants.
Compounding this challenge is the demographic disproportionality in organ donation, with nearly 60 percent of those awaiting transplants coming from minority communities and, according to the National Institute of Health, only about 30 percent of donors being people of color. Nevertheless, organ donation is a beacon of hope, saving over 28,000 lives annually through this selfless act. Despite these successes, the harsh reality persists that over 105,000 Americans linger on transplant waitlists while most citizens never register to become donors.
This April, during National Donate Life Month, the VA reminds us of their commitment to employees who make the life-saving choice to become donors by offering up to seven days of paid leave for bone-marrow donation and up to 30 days of paid leave for organ donation procedures. This transformative policy ensures that individuals contemplating donation can do so without financial strain, further fostering the culture of giving and altruism that is the hallmark of the VA community.
Minneapolis VA Medical Center nurse Teresa Capecchi exemplifies the profound impact of organ donation. Just over eight years ago, she discovered that a close family friend, Jackie, was struggling to find a kidney donor. Feeling the need to help however she could, Teresa decided to take the first steps in becoming an organ donor and provided a saliva sample to determine initial compatibility. After a preliminary match was confirmed, Teresa’s decision was final and, despite some challenges including being labeled a "high-risk match,” her journey culminated in Jackie’s successful kidney transplant, underscoring the transformative power of organ donation.
Angela Hallanger, another Minneapolis VA Medical Center nurse, also stepped forward when her friend faced the debilitating effects of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Without hesitation, Angela underwent testing, discovered she was a match, and donated 65 percent of her liver, offering her friend a new lease on life. Angela and her friend will be sharing their ten-year “liverversary” at the end of this May.
As National Donate Life Month unfolds, the VA remains committed to promoting organ donation. By providing tangible support to employees, VA empowers individuals to embrace the transformative power of organ donation, fostering a culture of compassion and generosity. Together, let us recognize the significance of organ donation and the profound impact it holds in enriching and saving lives.