Men Less Likely Than Women To Sign Up As Organ Donors

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by Kirk Hawkins
Bio | Email | Follow: @kirkhawkins by Photographer Marvin Beach

Story Created: Feb 2, 2013 at 10:36 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2013 at 11:23 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Bobby Height met with members of the Queens University Basketball team today in Dilworth. The former New York Yankees Outfielder now works to convince groups of men to donate their organs. "It's a life changing experience to see how fragile life is. One day you can be on top of the world. The next day you can see it all disappear," said the University City Resident.

There are 3,500 people on the waiting list for organ transplants in North Carolina. LifeShare Of The Carolinas says men are far less likely to sign up as organ donors. In fact, there's a six percent gap between the registration rates of men and women. "There's more people who need transplants than there are people who are willing to donate their organs. As a result, people die every day.
Some of those are needless deaths," said Debbie Gibbs, Spokeswoman for LifeShare Of The Carolinas.

After doctors diagnosed him with a rare heart disease, Bobby Height was the recipient of a new heart and a new life from a donor whose family he's never met. "We are just thankful that someone said yes to save another person's life," said Brenda Height, Bobby's wife.

Now, the same competitive spirit that helped him reach the major leagues is one way he finds success each and every day. A message he shares with men. Hoping they'll also want to make a difference in someone's life just like his. "My philosophy is that do the best you can today, because you never know what tomorrow is going to bring," said Height.

116 thousand people are on the National waiting list for organ transplants. Thousands more are in need of donated tissue to restore sight, improve mobility and heal burns.

 

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