Demand for organ donation reaches record high in America
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The need for more organ donors is growing in the U.S.
According to preliminary data, 2016 was a big year for organ transplants as the active recipients list swelled to a record high.
In the last five years alone, the United Network for Organ Sharing said transplants have increased by nearly 20 percent.
In 2016, there were more than 33,000 transplants in America. Of those who donated organs, 25 percent came from people who died from a drug overdose in some areas.
Donating an organ can save a life and fortunately, it's easy to register.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the most common organ transplants in the U.S. are kidney, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas and intestines.
Roughly 8,000 deceased organ donors each year provide an average of three-and-a-half organs.
Living donors provide on average around 6,000 organs per year.
If you are considering becoming a donor, you can register with your state's organ donor registry.
In Texas, you can learn more at www.donatelifetexas.org.
