One hundred twenty-four thousand.

That’s how many men, women and children are awaiting an organ transplant in the United States alone, according to Donate Life America, a nonprofit organization that encourages the increase of designated organ, eye and tissue donors.

The organization states though a majority of people support donation as an opportunity to let their organs and tissue give life to others, many people overlook the step of registering as a donor.

There are not enough donors to meet the need.

About 22 people die each day because the organs they need are not donated in time. Another person is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

As part of National Donate Life Month, we wish to raise awareness of the impact organ donation can have even in our own community.

Transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive lives and return them to their families, friends and communities.

People of all ages and medical histories can be potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated, and there is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for donation.

A national system matches available organs from the donor with people on the waiting list based on blood type, body size, how sick they are, donor distance, tissue type and time on the list, according to Donate Life America. Race, income, gender, celebrity and social status are never considered.

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network states a single tissue donor can help more than 50 people.

To register your decision to be a donor, visit DonateLife.net.