When my 16-year-old son, Jonathan, received his driver’s license on Jan. 17, 2007, he decided to become an organ/tissue donor. “Just the right thing to do,” he said. That statement became my reality when he died less than a month later, on Feb. 13.

Organ/tissue donation is an amazing gift. There is no age limit to becoming a donor, nor is perfect health a requirement. Our ability to donate is determined by the circumstance.

Most religions consider organ/tissue donation an individual choice and encourage it as an act of human kindness.

According to New England Organ Bank, about 110,000 men, women and children are on transplant waiting lists. Another name is added every 12 minutes. More than 6,500 Americans die each year awaiting transplantation.

According to New England Organ Bank, about 110,000 men, women and children are on transplant waiting lists. Another name is added every 12 minutes. More than 6,500 Americans die each year awaiting transplantation.

Organ/tissue donation has the potential to save and or enhance many lives. Last year, 8,127 deceased donors and 6,017 live donors resulted in 28,535 transplants.

Donate Life announced that 100 million U.S. residents 18 and older are registered organ/tissue donors. The goal for 2012 is 20 million additional registered donors. The long-term goal is to reduce to zero the number of people who die while on a waiting list.

The organ recipients and their parents, spouses, children, grandchildren all benefit from the gift.

I have received thank-you cards from recipients and family members. They are as thankful for life as I am for having had my son, and making Jonathan’s wishes his reality in death.

Every person’s views of such a personal matter are to be respected. Those who choose to be donors should make their wishes known to family, on their license/ID, and contact your state’s donor registry. For more information contact, New England Organ Bank.