We are asking for participation from religious leaders throughout Utah this year as part of National Donor Sabbath.

National Donor Sabbath was launched by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in 1997. 

Taking part in National Donor Sabbath could be as simple as reading your faith’s official statement and/or telling your congregation how your faith views donation, having informational material available to your congregation, or inviting someone to share their own donation experiences.

Many people turn to their faith leaders for help when dealing with life and death issues. Nearly every religion in the United States officially supports organ and tissue donation or supports the individual choices of its members. Donation is viewed by most religions as an act of compassion and generosity, and National Donor Sabbath is celebrated in many houses of worship, often with a transplant recipient sharing a personal story of receiving “a second chance at life,” or a member of a donor’s family sharing how their decision to donate affected them.

Awareness of donation increases each year, but so does the need for donors. More than 104,000 people are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list despite the fact that more than 14,000 donors made almost 28,000 transplants possible in 2008.  Each year, thousands of Americans need corneas, tissue transplants, or blood. Transplantation can save lives. If generous individuals and families say yes to donation and register as donors, miracles can happen…

- A heart recipient was able to travel to California to see his first grandchild.

- A young man was able to marry, raise a family, and is pursuing a graduate degree because of a kidney transplant almost 20 years ago.

- A baby received a heart transplant, allowing her to see her first Christmas. She now has a chance to grow up and live a healthy life.

- A family is comforted knowing that their husband and father selflessly made the choice years earlier to help others upon his own death. They know his donation of tissue is benefitting others.

For more information or to obtain informational materials, log on to