MVD NEWS RELEASE
The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division is recognizing National Donate Life Month in April and encouraging New Mexicans to become organ donors when they obtain or renew their driver’s licenses.
“Signing up to potentially save a life is as easy as checking a box,” said Taxation and Revenue Department Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke. “And now it is the first question you’ll see when you start an application for a new license or renewal.”
People of all ages and medical histories are encouraged to register.
A total of 1,010,536 New Mexicans with driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards are registered as donors. Out of the 105,000 New Mexicans issued credentials so far this year, 58,050 have chosen to become organ donors, including 13,711 who signed up for the first time.
So far this year, 24 people have become donor heroes in New Mexico and 52 life-saving organs have been transplanted in New Mexico. But another 700 people are still awaiting organ transplants, according to New Mexico Donor Services. One donor alone can save the lives of up to eight people and enhance the lives of up to 75 people as a tissue donor.
Signing up while obtaining or renewing a driver’s license is the most common way for people to register as donors in New Mexico. People also can register online at registerme.org.
“The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division is a crucial partner in registering organ, eye and tissue donors. In fact, approximately 97% of those who have registered their first-person authorization to be a donor signed up at the NM MVD, and together we saved a record number of lives through organ donation in 2021,” states Wayne Dunlap, executive director of New Mexico Donor Services. “Only 3 in 1000 people die in a way that makes donation possible, so registering to become a donor is critical in helping to save lives. During Donate Life Month and throughout the year, we appreciate the work of the NM MVD to help us save and improve lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.”
Observed in April each year, National Donate Life Month encourages Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.
The Motor Vehicle Division strives to offer customers convenient channels to conduct their business. MVD regularly adds to services offered online and through convenient retail kiosks.