September is DMV Appreciation Month! A driver’s license is typically required of everyone in the state of Alabama, if you’re over the legal driving age. Chances are if you’ve chosen to become a registered organ donor, you did so when getting or renewing your driver’s license at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. In fact, 98 percent of individuals across the country register their donation decision through their local DMV. Which means our DMV partners and their staff are on the front lines as we inspire more Americans to register as donors. To date, they’ve helped more than 165 million donors register. September is DMV Appreciation Month, a time when we can support and thank DMV staff and driver license partners for their support and commitment to advancing the organ donation mission.
With more than 4,000 DMV offices across the country offering the donor registration opportunity, consistent messaging and educating the public is the key to productive conversations around organ donation. That initial conversation is a small piece of the work that pushes the organ donation mission forward. “Given 98 percent of registrants who have said yes to organ donation actually come from folks at the DMV, that partnership is the fundamental backbone of who we are,” said Eric Phillips, Legacy of Hope’s DMV program supervisor. “The service that they’re providing too often goes under or unappreciated.”
“Even with advances in technology, the DMV partnership remains a primary source of donor registrations. We could not have reached the milestone of 165 million registered organ donors and lives saved without the partnership and support of DMVs,” said David Fleming, President & CEO of Donate Life America.
During the month of September, take a moment to reach out to your local DMV to thank them! And while you’re at it, register to become an organ donor there or sign up for the donor registry.
