Memorial Health System encourages Mississippians to become organ donors
Gulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- April is known as National Donate Life Month, a time to celebrate and honor those who have given the gift of life through organ donations.
Here on the coast, Memorial Health System is encouraging South Mississippians to become organ donors.
National Donate Life Month was established in 2003 as a way to raise awareness for the process of organ donation.
Here in the Magnolia State, the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency teams up with Memorial Health System to save lives through organ donation.
According to the Organ Recovery Agency, around 1.2 million Mississippians are registered as organ donors.
Bailey Smith is the ICU manager at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. She tells WXXV Mississippi has a large number of people waiting for organ donations.
“So there are 100,000 in the United States waiting for an organ.. In Mississippi alone, there are 1000 people waiting for an organ right now,” said Smith. “13 of those people die every day waiting for an organ. I think in 2025 we had 9 organ donors and from those 9 patients, 26 lives were saved.”
Smith says there are numerous ways to become an organ donor. You can sign up to become a donor when you receive or renew your drivers license, you’re also able to register when you get your Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses. Online, you can head to RegisterMe.org.
Smith says another important step is to have a conversation with family.
“Outside of those simple ways, I recommend you have a conversation with your family members. Let them know your wishes, get to know their wishes. That one conversation can save numerous lives.”
Smith adds that donations most don’t think about include eyes and tissue. She says these donations can save up to 8 lives, but can improve the lives of up to 75 more people.
Anyone can be registered as an organ donor regardless of age, race or medical history. Most major religions also support donations as a final act of love and generosity.
The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency says despite the need for donations, only about 35 percent of Mississippians are registered as organ donors. This is below the national average of 54 percent.
When it comes to becoming an organ donor, a commitment to donate organs will never interfere with medical care.
” Doctors and nurses and health care professionals are here to save lives. There are strict ethical guidelines relating to organ donations, we will do everything that we can, “said Smith. “The only time organ donation is considered is after all life saving measures have been exhausted.”
Families of organ donors have the chance to receive periodic updates when it comes to patients receiving their organs. If both parties agree, the Organ Recovery Agency can exchange correspondence or potentially meet.
At Memorial, Those who donate will receive an Honor Walk when it is time for surgery to retrieve organs.
“One of the things we do to recognize our organ donors is an Honor Walk. When we are ready to move that patient from Memorial or to Jackson, we line the halls and we really recognize those patients and family members for that ultimate gift of generosity.”
Organ donor recipients are able to reach out to the families of the person who donated. A card or letter should be placed in an envelope along with a piece of paper with your full name, the recipient’s full name and the date of the donation.
The address to send your envelope to is:
Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency
Attn: Aftercare
4400 Lakeland Drive
Flowood, MS 39232
The process may take several weeks so allow for extra mailing time.
