In an effort to urge Los Angeles County citizens to save lives by signing up with the Donate Life California Registry when they apply or renew their driver’s license or ID card through the Department of Motor Vehicles, Supervisor Don Knabe proclaimed the month of April 2011 as “DMV/Donate Life California Month.”

“Making the noble decision to donate can be difficult, but there is no greater expression of compassion than making the life-giving act of organ and tissue donation,” said Supervisor Knabe. “Giving the gift of life through organ and tissue donation provides a measure of comfort to a bereaved family. I encourage everyone in Los Angeles County to consider signing up for the Donate Life California registry.”

A single donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives and a donation of tissue can save and heal up to 50 others. Nearly 100,000 individuals nationwide and more than 20,000 in California are currently on the national organ transplant wait list and every 90 minutes, one person dies while waiting for a donated organ. Each year, nearly 30,000 lives are saved and the quality off life for many hundreds of thousands more is enhanced by organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

To sign up for the Donate Life California Donor Registry, please visit DonateLifeCalifornia.org