Organ Donor Registry
|  Video
|
| Amanda Tetlak |
| 11/17/2009 |
 |
| North Dakotans are known to be good samaritans, always there to help a neighbor. And one of the greatest gifts one can give is the gift of life. The Department of Transportation has created an online registry for North Dakotans over the age of 14. With the click of a mouse, they can easily document their wishes to on donating organs or tissues. Monica and Loren Kersting of West Fargo had so much hope for their 14-year old daughter Alexa, who was waiting for a lung transplant. But in 2004, that hope ran out. "It`s hard to believe you can be number one on this list in our region and die awaiting a transplant and yet that is what happened to Alexa five years ago," says Monica. The Kerstings say that`s why it`s so important for people to give their consent to be an organ donor and says the DOT`s online registry makes it easier to do so. First Lady Mikey Hoeven says this is just another example of how North Dakota is taking steps to promote organ donation. In 2007 lawmakers updated legislation to allow minors to give their consent. "This change in legislation has allowed increased education about donation and has prompted many family discussions about this important topic," says Hoeven. Sixty-five percent of North Dakotans who have a drivers license or ID card wish to be identified as organ donors, the second highest percentage in the country. "I hope that we can be the number one state in the nation when it comes to consent donors," says Loren. "That is my challenge to the state of North Dakota and I absolutely, positively, deep down in my heart with Alexa standing at my side know that we`re going to get there." Alexa`s parents say this registry in honor of their daughter means the world to them in continuing her legacy and helping to gives others another chance at life. The website is www.donatelifend.org. After you register the DOT will send you a confirmation letter and if your under 18, your parents will receive a letter just to make sure no one falsely registered you. |
© KMOT-TV
Home | News | Weather | Sports | Webcast | Morning News | Programming | Primetime Rewind | Advertising & Sales | About Us
Community Connection | Movies | Contests & Promotions | Search | Links | Contact Us | Site Map | Follow us on: Facebook
Sister Stations: KFYR TV in Bismarck, KUMV in Williston, KQCD in Dickinson
