As the holiday season approaches, the quest for the perfect gift begins. I suggest the gift of life. Anyone can pledge to become an organ or tissue donor. This decision is a profoundly courageous act of connection and healing.1

Each year, thousands of individuals and families choose to donate an organ. Currently, more than 100 000 people, including 1900 children, are waiting for a life-saving tranasplant.1

Our nation is responding to this need. On March 22, 2023, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced a modernization initiative to strengthen accountability and transparency in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This work will target 5 key areas: technology, data transparency, governance, operations, and quality improvement and innovation.2

As critical care nurses, we know the value of this work. Most of us have experienced the privilege of caring for both donors' and recipients' families. Share your stories and encourage others to give the gift of life this holiday season.

To learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation, go to https://www.organdonor.gov.

For more information on donating bone marrow, visit https://bloodstemcell.hrsa.gov.

Happy Holidays from DCCN!

Kathleen Ahern Gould, PhD, RN
Editor in Chief, Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing

2. Health Resources and Services Administration. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network modernization initiative. https://www.hrsa.gov/optn-modernization. Accessed August 1, 2023.