On Donate Life Registry, Over 500,000 Californians Sign Up To Donate Organs
In California, over the last six months, more than half a million people have signed up to be organ donors on the Donate Life California Registry. The increase of potential donors is a result of a statewide push toward donation efforts. Since July, Californians are now able to automatically register to donate their organs by checking a box on a form when applying for or renewing their driver’s license at the DMV. There are now at least 865,000 participants listed in the registry.
Approximately 20% of the nearly 95,000 people in the U.S. awaiting organ transplants live in the state of California.
There are also other ways to donate one’s organs. A person can make their request in their living will. You may also appoint someone with the Powers of Attorney for health care to authorize this decision for you should the time come and you are rendered incapacitated and unable to so yourself.
Living Wills
This is a document that explains exactly the type of care you want or don’t want in the event you become incapacitated. In California, this is known as a Living Will or an Advanced Health Care Directive.
Powers of Attorney for Health Care
A durable power of attorney for health care lets you name someone as your health care agent. This person is allowed to make necessary health care decisions for you in the event that you are no longer able to do so. They are also tasked with ensuring that the instructions in your living will are carried out by doctors and other health care providers.
It is important that you document your desire to become an organ donor. That way, in the event that you become eligible to donate your organs, your family will know what your wishes are and they will have to honor them. You may also want to let people know in advance that you are a potential organ donor.
Sagaria Law, P.C. handles estate planning matters in Northern California, and one of our attorneys can help you draft a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care that will ensure that your wishes are carried out. Contact Sagaria Law, P.C. today to schedule an appointment for a free consultation. We have offices that are conveniently located in San Jose, Monterey, and Fremont. Contact Sagaria Law, P.C. today.
DMV Effort Simplifies Organ Donation, PE.com, January 1, 2007
Living Wills and Powers of Attorney for Health Care: How They Work, Nolo.com
Related Web Resource:
Bookmark: 
