Have you met an organ transplant recipient? Is a friend or family member awaiting a transplant? Have you heard about a family who supported their loved one’s decision to donate organs and tissue? More than 252 people received a second chance at life last year thanks to Georgia organ donors, and thousands more experienced improved health because nearly 497 generous tissue donors, and their families, made the decision to give the ultimate gift. Scores more were cornea donors, providing the gift of sight to people in need.

This April, during the federally sanctioned National Donate Life Month, LifeLink of Georgia honors the spirit of those individuals who make transplants possible— organ, tissue and eye donors. We celebrate the lives of those who received their second chance - and finally, we call attention to the more than 106,000 - over 3,000 of whom are local - men, women and children who still wait across the United States.

Two families have made the Gift of Life into a lasting relationship and a heartwarming mission to spread the Donate Life mission to others. Lieutenant Lori Lyons, a firefighter/paramedic for more than 23 years, is all too familiar with life or death situations. In 2008, however, it was Lori herself whose life was in jeopardy. In kidney failure, Lori required a kidney transplant to survive. Her husband and colleagues, even her boss, wanted to donate a kidney to her, but none were a match.

Meanwhile, the Carter family was enjoying a typical weekend day - Austin was playing outside with friends and his siblings - when an accident happened. He was airlifted to a local hospital, but despite expert care, passed away from his injuries. Austin’s parents, Rhett and Natalie, decided Austin would want to help others as an organ donor, allowing him to save several lives. Natalie says of the experience, "It was amazing to find such joy in the middle of such grief." Lori’s life was one of those saved by Austin’s gift. Though they didn’t know each other, both Lori and the Carter family developed a passion for increasing organ and tissue donation. They began to volunteer for LifeLink and share their stories, and in a twist of fate they met face to face. Of their relationship, Natalie says, "Knowing Lori, and seeing her happy and healthy always gives me so much joy because I feel a part of my son every time I see her. And, I can hug her and hug him at the same time."

Organ donation, with the primary exception of living kidney donation, takes place after death and provides the gift of life to tens of thousands each year through heart, kidney, lung, liver, pancreas or intestine transplants. Without the generosity of organ donors those waiting will die. To become a donor, sign up on Georgia’s donor registry when you renew your driver license or identification card or at www.donatelifegeorgia.org and tell your family about your decision. Visit www.lifelinkfound.org or call 1-800-544-6667 with questions about organ and tissue donation