Status Update: I’m Donating My Organs
My grandparents consider Facebook a huge waste of time. Why wouldn’t they, really? Older generations believe in privacy. They also ask, “Who cares?” when shown a status updating detailing your awesome Tuesday morning coffee date with a friend. But you took such a great Instagram of the latte the barista put a cool design in!
The majority of our posts consist of mundane occurrences, but we also share information about causes that matter to us. This year, my sister got involved with One Voice, an organization that fights human trafficking in Atlanta. Since then she’s devoted a lot of her posts to events and fundraisers, and shared links to articles about human trafficking at home and abroad. Facebook is one way for her to get the message out.
Mark Zuckerberg is hoping that his new donor initiative will do the same thing. According to Organdonor.gov, there are about 114,000 people waiting for an organ in the United States. 18 people die every day waiting for a life-saving organ. Eight lives can be saved by a single donor. Most people don’t register, or realize the incredible need.
This past Tuesday was an incredible day and yes, what happened totally trumps your latte photo. Facebook rolled out their new “Life Event” option, “Registered as an Organ Donor”. The site also provides information on where to register. Zuckerberg is a powerful 20-something: 6,000 people enrolled in 22 state registries by the end of the day. On a normal day, less than 400 people sign up.
Information continues to spread as those newly registered donors share their decision to register on their walls. It will hopefully lead to fewer people watching the clock, desperate for a donor. It’s an inspiring example of the new face of social activism.
-Mary-Nevaire Marsh
