November 13 – 15, Utah Religious Leaders will be taking the opportunity to educate their congregations about organ donation. 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. During National Donor Sabbath, November 13 – 15, Utah leaders will have the opportunity to share that message with their congregations.

Many houses of worship will take the opportunity to have a transplant recipient share their personal story of receiving “a second chance at life.” Others may invite someone who was faced with the decision to donate the organs of a loved one to share how this experience has affected them.

“Carol, my son’s liver recipient, and I have had the opportunity in the past to speak during Sunday religious services and to youth groups at church sponsored functions. This subject is a little different from what people are accustomed to hearing in a religious setting, but it is so important for people to understand how their religion views organ donation. I hope that religious leaders take advantage of this opportunity to education their congregations,” says Gerri, whose 16 year old son became an organ donor after a tragic accident.

Some local churches have found someone touched by donation within their own congregation and have taken the opportunity to let that person speak during one of their services. “I feel incredibly lucky to have a second chance at life through transplantation. I received a heart transplant in June, 2009, and have had to temporarily relocate so I am near the transplant center. I have been adopted by the congregation at Christ United Methodist Church and they invited me to speak at their services. They didn’t even wait for Donor Sabbath to let me share my story with the congregation,” said Jayne, a heart transplant recipient.

As people are confronted with the decision to become an organ donor, many will question how their religion views donation. Having religious leaders address this important question on a yearly basis can be extremely helpful to people as they make that decision and discuss their decision with family members. It can also be a comfort to families who are faced with that decision following a tragedy in their lives.

For anyone unsure where to find information about their specific religion’s position on organ donation, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has compiled a list of statements from many of the major religions throughout the United States. That list can be accessed through the Yes! Utah Donor Registry by logging on to www.yesutah.org/content/about/faq and clicking the UNOS logo in the right hand column.