Nearly two years after tragically losing her life to a stroke, former Florida journalist Aimee Sachs continues to save lives – first by donating her organs to three recipients and now by encouraging others to sign up as organ donors.
As National Donate Life Month kicks off on April 1, a statewide organ donor registration initiative featuring Aimee’s voice lip syncing “Man in the Mirror” from her hospital bed seeks to boost organ donor registrations, especially among under-represented populations.
The moving PSA, which Donate Life Florida plans to air statewide, was produced by Tallahassee filmmakers Gary Yordon and Josh McLawhorn, working with Aimee’s big sister, Samantha, who recorded Aimee the week before she died.
Though 5,000 Floridians daily wait for organ, tissue, and eye donations, fewer than 2 out of 5 Florida drivers sign up for the state’s donor registry when they receive or renew a driver’s license, according to Donate Life Florida Chairwoman Patricia Darrigan.
“Too many Floridians are dying while waiting for a transplant. Signing up takes just a moment – but that one moment can change so many lives and extend the legacy of every donor,” said Darrigan.
Kris Vanni was dying and was at the point of writing final goodbye letters to family members when she learned Aimee’s liver was a match for her.
“If not for Aimee’s incredible gift, my husband would be raising our sons by himself, and I would not be able to watch them grow. That’s the difference organ donation can make – giving life to others and saving families, too.”
A private donation from the Sachs family will endow the launch of the campaign, which Sachs hopes will be boosted by donations and funding from others.
“We hope Aimee’s inspiring story, and those of so many other donors and recipients, will widen the universe of people who choose to leave a gift of life,” said Ron Sachs, founder of Sachs Media.
On average, one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of more than 75 people. Additionally, corneal transplants from eye donors can restore sight to many individuals.
Former State Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, whose husband, John, was an organ donor, reflected support for the statewide organ donor registration campaign.
“John was so meaningful to everyone who knew him. He was the love of my life. He was a guiding light for our girls. He was a transformational leader for our community. And in the end, his tragedy gave life to others,” said Passidomo.
To register as an organ donor visit DonateLifeFlorida.org.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Statewide registration drive seeks to boost Florida organ donations
Reporting by Special to the Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
