Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at www.LifeGoesOn.com or by calling 800-210-2106. (Courtesy of lifegoeson.com)

Illinois’ organ/tissue donor registry reached a milestone on Aug. 28 with 7 million registrants.

“I am so proud that Illinoisans continue to show their giving spirit and commitment to others by signing up for this lifesaving program,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “Our mission is to strengthen the Organ/Tissue Donor Program through outreach and registration initiatives. We want to end the waiting for the approximately 4,000 people statewide. Each year about 300 people die waiting for a transplant in Illinois.”

There are 10,764,540 individuals in Illinois who qualify to become organ/tissue donors. Of those, 65 percent have registered as organ/tissue donors. There are more than 12.6 million people living in Illinois, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019.

In addition, more than 100,000 16- and 17-year-olds have registered with the program since 2018 when White’s office initiated a law allowing them to register as organ and tissue donors.

“I believe our public awareness campaign, including television, radio and social media ads have helped encourage people to register,” said White. “It takes less than a minute to register and one person can improve the quality of life for up to 25 people.”

The  Organ/Tissue Donor Registry has been one of the secretary’s top priorities during his 21-year administration. White has a personal connection to organ donation because his sister, Doris Ivy, received a kidney transplant from an anonymous donor that extended her life for 27 years.

Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State’s Organ/Tissue Donor Registry at www.LifeGoesOn.com or by calling 800-210-2106.