Trust For Life

In 1992 the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks Association created the Trust For Life; an independent, non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of organ and tissue donation in the state of Kentucky.

Because the issuing of drivers licenses in Kentucky is the responsibility of the Circuit Clerks, they were able to get legislation passed that allowed them to ask for an extra $1.00 to support organ donation from Kentuckians when they renew their licenses. Since 1993, the clerks have collected more than $4 million from drivers, $1.00 at a time.

The Trust has used this money to buy advertising and to support a public relations campaign that has helped increase organ and tissue donation in the state by an estimated 60% since the program began. Kentucky now has one of the highest percentages of donation in the country.

The Trust continues to promote organ and tissue donation by working with a coalition of other organizations that support donation on a Trust For Life Advisory Board. This group has supported such projects as the successful U.K. vs. U. of L. Gift of Life Challenge and sponsored Team Kentucky at the bi-annual U.S. Transplant Games.

In 2000, the Trust took on an added mission by establishing the Judge Satterwhite Fund, designed to help Kentucky organ transplant patients in meeting financial needs that are not covered by insurance or other programs. Fund raising events like golf tournaments, auctions and projects like the cookbook support the fund.

By the end of June 2005 there were more than 750 Kentuckians on waiting lists for life saving organ transplants. An average of 17 Americans die each day waiting for organ transplants.

The medical miracles that are modern transplants can’t occur unless there are donated organs available.The same goes for the need for donated corneas, bone joints, skin, blood vessels and other tissue.

In Kentucky, as in most places in the United States, doctors must have the permission of the next of kin of possible organ donors before they can recover the precious gifts of life. If the family has not had a discussion about organ donation, it is very difficult for the grieving family to make that decision.

While some surveys have shown that nearly 90% of Americans are in favor of organ donation after death, national consent rates continue to be around 40%.

In May of 2007 Kentucky joined dozens of other states offering the opportunity to individuals to place their names on an organ donor registry when they have a driver's license or state ID issued. At other times, people willing to be organ donors are encouraged to place their names on the Kentucky Organ Donor Registry by going online to www.DonateLifeKY.org.