ITD receives award for work with organ donor program

From hard choices come new hopes for those in need of life-saving transplants. On Wednesday, April 20, ITD Headquarters’ employees heard personal stories of hope rising from sadness as part of National Donate Life Month.

For many years, ITD’s Driver Services Section has been a supporter of organ, eye and tissue donation. That commitment and support earned an award from Intermountain Donor Services. Alan Frew, Ed Pemble, Deb Hall, Beth Schiller and Reggie Phipps accepted the 2016 Tear of Life award on behalf of the section and the department.

“Our hearts go out to those who donate and to those who receive,” said Frew. “They are heroes, and so brave.” He added that, “We are grateful for the program and we’re going to try to do more.”

The Tear of Life symbolizes the tears of sadness for those who have lost a loved one, but also the tears of joy for those organ donations that allowed someone else to not lose a loved one, sparing them tears of sadness.

Alex McDonald, public education and public relations director for Intermountain Donor Services, presented the award to ITD in appreciation for the hard work and support provided in making people aware of the organ donor program and all the good that comes from becoming a part of this lifesaving process.

When individuals apply for or renew a driver’s license, each is asked whether or not they would like to be a donor and that decision is listed on their license and linked to the Yes Idaho Donor Registry

Idaho has consistently been in the top 15 states for the percentage of people registered to be organ, eye and tissue donors. Sixty-two percent of Idahoans 18 or older are currently registered as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Donation related statistics

  • On average, 22 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.
  • An average of 81 transplants take place every day in the United States.
  • More than 123,000 in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
  • 29,532 transplants were performed in the United States in 2014.
  • Another person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes.

Every person who signs up on the organ donor registry makes a difference to those waiting.

(Pictured above and below) ITD representatives are recognized for the department's organ donor support efforts by Intermountain Donor Services. Alan Frew accepts theTear of Life award. Deb Hall, Ed Pemble, Beth Schiller and Reggie Phipps join Frew in accepting the award on behalf of the Driver Services Section and ITD.


Published 04-29-16