Dear "Stpfan44",
HI. If you would like to help others with your organs and tissues there are several things that you can do NOW:
--- If you are not already doing so, start donating blood (or blood components) several times a year.
--- Register as a potential living bone marrow donor (if they find a match for you) at
www.marrow.org . They will send you the materials to submit a cheek swab to test you.
--- Sign up as an after-death organ and tissue donor now, and make sure your family knows of your desire to do this. Many (most) States now allow you to do this on your drivers license, and some States maintain on-line registries as well. You can also carry a wallet card expressing the same thing.
--- You can also make the arrangements to donate your body to a medical school after death, after usable organs and tissues have been removed, so that future doctors can learn and gain surgical experience with which to help others.
--- There are groups which help people suffering from organ failure and finance research on treatments/cures (e.g. National Kidney Foundation
www.kidney.org) that have opportunities for volunteers in their activities.
best wishes,
Fr. Pat