April has arrived in Iowa signaling the season of new beginnings. Our lawns are waking up with new grass and blooming trees, farmers are prepping their fields to plant soon, and birds are flying back home. It’s a time for renewal and we expect it every year. But we can’t count on getting the same chance at new life if we’re involved in a crash – we never know when our time is up.
It’s why as responsible drivers we plan ahead to save lives by preventing the bad behaviors that can lead to fatalities. It’s also why if our plans include becoming an organ and tissue donor, we shouldn’t put it off, because it truly can give someone a second chance at life.
So, it’s fitting that in April we observe National Donate Life Month. Organ and tissue donation is a gift that saves and heals hundreds of thousands of lives each year. The impact of organ donation is profound. In 2024, the Iowa Donor Network identified 130 organ donors and more than 1,100 tissue donors, and nearly 390 Iowans received transplants. Unfortunately, demand remains high. As of January 2025, more than 590 people were on the Iowa organ waiting list while nearly 105,000 are waiting nationally.
Anyone, including minors with parental/guardian consent, can register to be a donor when getting your Iowa ID or driver’s license. It’s as simple as saying “yes” to select the option to add your organ donation designation to your Iowa ID or driver’s license.
Watch how one Iowa family turned a personal tragedy into an inspiration for organ donation. Remember, you’re never too young or too old to be a donor. Your commitment to safe driving and organ donation can leave a lasting legacy, offering the gift of life to others and doing our part to make our communities safer.
In 2025, in Iowa, 50 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of nine since last Friday. In Iowa in 2024, there were 358 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf