by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) works to save lives through organ and tissue donation. The agency’s motto is “making life happen!” LOPA is Louisiana’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery organization.
LOPA is a nonprofit agency that services Louisiana’s diverse community by supporting families through tragic loss, during the donation process, and along their grief journey. The LOPA team advises they are passionate about sharing the impact of organ donation and educating professionals, and the community, about organ donation.
April is National Donate Life Month. LOPA hosts events and observances throughout the month in partnership with hospitals and community partners to honor LA donor heroes and the lives they have saved!
How Does Organ Donation Work?
The hospital does everything possible to save every patient. There are 2% of patients with traumatic brain injuries, after all life-saving measures have been taken, that have the potential to become organ donors. LOPA works closely with hospitals throughout the state to honor the wishes of registered organ donors and/or offer the opportunity for donation to families who have lost a loved one.
The organs recovered and used for donation include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestines. Corneas, tendons and ligaments, heart valves, skin and bone are tissues that can be recovered for transplant. One cornea donor can provide sight for two people and one tissue donor can help heal the lives of up to 100 people.
Did you know one organ donor can save eight lives?
LOPA’s Core Purpose is Making Life Happen
From LOPA’s website “As the organ procurement organization for Louisiana, we help save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation.”
How to Be an Organ Donor
If you want to become an organ donor, do one of the following items below.
- Say YES at the Office of Motor Vehicles or Public Tag Agency when getting a driver’s license or ID card
- Through the Louisiana Donor Registry
- Through LA Wallet App
After doing one of the above items, advise your family or next of kin of your decision. By making the decision yourself and by advising your family of your decision, your decision can help take the pressure off of a loved one for having to make the decision on your behalf during what is a stressful and difficult time for them.
To learn more about LOPA, visit its website or Facebook page.
