The creator of a new program through the Fulton Rotary Club is hoping to help people save lives.
Tom Thomas, a Westminster College alumnus and former Fulton resident, spoke to the Rotary Club on Wednesday to introduce a new program, Rotary for Life.
Thomas said he owes what's left of his life to educating people about organ donation.
"They gave me 6 1/2 years, as of today, that I wouldn't have otherwise had," said Thomas, himself a recipient of a donor heart. "I have occasion to pay back whenever possible."
Thomas founded Rotary for Life, a program with a goal to educate people about organ donations, and encourage them to sign up as a donor. The program was founded as a result of his own experience with organ donations, he said.
Upon receiving a heart transplant, Thomas sent letters to the family of his donor thanking them for their sacrifice.
He never received a response, he said.
Not being able to communicate with the family made him feel "guilty as hell," Thomas said, and he decided that he needed to do something about it.
"I had to do something that I felt would pay it forward," he added. "The way to do that is to get people to register as organ donors."
Thomas, accompanied by his friend and fellow Rotarian Joe Weston of Columbia, encouraged Fulton Rotarians to make an effort to raise awareness of organ donors in the community.
"We need people to be aware of the need," said Weston. "Awareness and education are the things we want to spread around our Rotary district."
Weston noted that people often don't realize how many organs and tissues in our bodies can be donated. Donations from one person can end up saving, prolonging or enhancing up to 50 lives, he added.
"The whole thing is a miracle, that people can give and receive organs and tissues," said Weston.
Thomas said one of the biggest problems encountered in organ donation is not knowing how to actually sign up to donate.
"Ninety percent of the public supports organ donation, but only 30 percent know how to register," said Thomas.
Thomas said Missouri residents can register as organ donors through their local Department of Motor Vehicle offices, or at missouriorgandonor.com. Registered organ donors will receive a small image of a red heart on the bottom right corner of their driver license.
Through Rotary for Life, Thomas is hopeful that the community will be able to rely on the Rotary Club to help educate and raise awareness. Weston encouraged community members to reach out to the club to arrange for on-site presentations at their business or organization.
"If you are not comfortable talking to people about this, we can help," said Weston. "The demand is much greater than the supply, and the need is urgent."
Another problem, according to Thomas, is the concern that age or poor health play a factor in whether or not an individual can register as a donor.
"You are never too old to register, and nine times out of 10, chronic diseases do not preclude donating an organ," said Thomas.
People that would like to find out how to register as an organ donor can visit missouriorgandonor.com, their local DMV, or call the Organ/Tissue Donor Program and Registry at 573-522-2847.