Local woman, organizations encourage organ donation

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The statistics surrounding organ donation in the United States are difficult to ignore. Every day, 17 people die waiting for a suitable organ donation. Every eight minutes, someone new is added to the list of people waiting for a donation. That is list is currently 103,000 people long, with 5,000 of those people living in Indiana or Illinois.

One man who was on the list of those awaiting a transplant was Tom Butts. The former Decatur Police Officer passed away is 2019 after waiting for a kidney donor for 18 months. While he never got to receive the life saving donation, he was able to give.

"He was a police officer here for over 30 years," said Sarah Butts, Tom's wife. "Every day he walked out that door to make a difference and save a life, and in the end, he was able to stay and change five people's lives. It's ironic how he needed a kidney, but he was able to donate to make a difference to someone else."

Since Tom's passing, Sarah has made it her mission to raise awareness on organ donation, and advocate for others waiting for a donor. While losing a loved one is never easy, she said knowing others continue to live with Tom's donation makes her feel like his legacy lives on.

"I get more joy knowing that we are still making a difference," said Sarah Butts. "It is so important to talk about this to your family, become a donor, give blood, everything you can. I feel that means Tommy never really left, he's always there."

Sarah spoke at an event at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital along with several organizations focused on organ and tissue donations. The Hospital shared that patients has received organ transplants this year.

Life Goes On, a part of the Secretary of State's office, encouraged people to register as a donor. Impact Life shared that blood donation is necessary for transplants as well, as many operations take 20-40 units of blood. Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network shared statistics regarding transplant numbers and procedures.

To register to become a Organ and Tissue Donor, you can visit a Secretary of State Facility. You can also register online at the Secretary of State's donor website.