The month of April is designated as Donate Life Month. Every day an estimated 63 people receive organ transplants but at the same time 16 people die while waiting for one that can't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.

There are two ways you can donate your organs. For certain organs like the kidneys, you can even be a living donor. "You can live a long, normal, fruitful life with a single kidney. You know, the good Lord's given us a couple so maybe everybody ought to give up one," says Dave Mainous, Director of Kidney Transplant Center.

Well, not so fast. There are guidelines to be a living donor. For example you must be in good general health, not have high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or heart disease. The other way to donate organs is after your death. The first thing you want to do if you decide to become an organ donor is to fill out an organ donor card and then follow up with one very important step. "Say something to your family, please say something to your doctor. There's not an organ recovery organization that would acquire organs without the family's best wishes or permission," says Dave.

To receive more information on organ donation you can call 239-939-8442.