For many people, the thought of organ donation is unpleasant because it is associated with death. For those with failing organs, it is a last chance for life. Kia Potts, MPH, community education coordinator for LifeNet Health made an appeal to the Woman’s Club of Cumberland to sign up to become organ donors.

According to Potts, there are more than 2,500 people in Virginia currently waiting for organs. A prospective donor must be on a donor registry list and must die in a hospital for organs to be usable. There is no age limit for donors. Organs have been harvested from donors as old as 90.

“Once a person has asked to be on the donor registry, legal next of kin cannot override the decision to donate”, said Potts. DNOS keeps the recipient waiting list and advises LifeNet where a procured organ must go.

Cumberland County is very low in its number of registered donors. Potts is hopeful that Cumberland will produce advocates to help with donor drives.

Following the program, plans were finalized for the club’s annual Election Day Brunswick stew and bake sale which funds the club’s many public service projects.