Driver license staff help in promoting organ donations

Editor,

The holiday season is in full swing. This time of year always seems like a good time to reflect on things for which we are grateful. The list often includes family, friends, employment, and freedom. I would like to add to that list; I am grateful for the staff at the Utah Driver License Division.

I work for Intermountain Donor Services, and have the opportunity to meet with driver license employees from time to time. Their job is often thankless. They sometimes have to deny someone a driver license because they did not pass the eye test. Others are turned away because they do not have the correct documentation with them. They are very good at remaining calm and impartial even when the person on the other side of the counter is angry. Keep in mind, they didn’t make the rules; they enforce them. By doing so, they keep us all a little safer, for which we should all be thankful.

I also appreciate that in the midst of their busy jobs, they take time to answer questions about organ donation and direct people with questions to our website and office. In Utah, 70 percent of people age 18 to 65 are registered donors. Utah recently received a national silver medal of honor for the performance of the donor registry. The majority of people on the donor registry made that decision on their drivers licenses or ID cards. So, they are not only keeping us a little safer, they help save many more lives by helping get the word out about donation.

Next time you visit a driver license office, keep in mind that if there is a long wait, it is only because the staff are taking the time to work with others who, maybe like you, have questions or other needs. You may want to pick up a brochure and learn a little more about organ, eye and tissue donation while you wait. Or, go to www.yesutah.org before you go to get your driver license to get this information so it will be easy to say "yes."

Dixie Madsen