TERRE HAUTE —
Five years ago, Joseph Botros’ father successfully underwent a liver transplant.
Now, Botros, a Terre Haute South Vigo High School senior, is committed to helping others who need organ transplants.
On Saturday, Botros plans to conduct an organ donation drive from 1 to 5 p.m. at several locations throughout Terre Haute: Honey Creek Mall, Books-a-Million, the Vigo County Public Library main branch, Meadows Shopping Center and Baesler’s Market.
He’s recruited several volunteers who will be trained to staff each site.
Botros has been planning the drive for about three months, and he hopes to do it as an Eagle Scout project.
He is working with the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, of which he is a member.
The issue is a very personal one for Botros because of his father’s experience; he has seen first-hand how organ donations can save lives. His father, Dr. Noaman Botros, is a general surgeon in Terre Haute.
His father, who had hepatitis C, didn’t have to wait too long for a liver; he has type AB blood, the “universal” recipient. Those with AB blood can receive any blood type.
“He moved up on the list fast,” Botros said. His dad remains healthy and continues to practice medicine, he said.
Others are not as fortunate.
More than 100,000 people across the United States are currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants, according to the Donate Life Indiana website. Every 12 minutes, another man, woman or child is added to the transplant waiting list.
“Sadly, due to the critical shortage of organs, many of these people will not get a second chance at life,” and an average of 17 people die each day waiting for one, the website stated.
“There’s a very desperate need,” Botros said.
During Saturday's drive, information will be available and people will be able to fill out Indiana donor registration forms.
Botros previously conducted a smaller organ donation drive at his school, and about 35 to 40 people signed up.
Many high-school aged students are signing up as they obtain their driver’s licenses at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, he said.
According to Donate Life Indiana, one organ and tissue donor can save or enhance the lives of 75 people. Statistics from June 30, 2009 state that the year prior, almost 29,000 lives in the United States were saved through organ transplants.
Botros urges people to visit the sites and to register as organ donors. “It’s a great thing to save lives,” he said. “I know first-hand how awesome it is.”
For more information, visit iopo.org.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
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