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Baton Rouge, LA — The Louisiana House of Representatives’ Transportation, Highways, and Public Works Committee unanimously passed House Resolution 130 which urges and requests the Office of Motor Vehicles to include in all driver education programs classroom or educational setting information about organ, tissue, and eye donation.

The Resolution, authored by Rep. Valerie Hodges, was inspired by the family of 20-year-old Aliye Ringe, who became a donor hero in December 2021. Ringe’s grandmother Leah Veck testified before the committee, explaining that education about the donation and transplantation process is crucial for teens as they prepare to be asked about their donation wishes when they get their driver’s license or permit.

More than 100,000 people across the country are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant  with almost 2,000 of them here in Louisiana. Thousands more people are waiting for lifesaving and healing cornea and tissue transplants. Because only 3 in 1000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation to take place, it is vitally important for everyone to register their lifesaving decision to be an organ, tissue and eye donor.

Aliye Ringe made a decision at the age of 16 that led to 5 strangers getting the ultimate

Christmas gift last year, the gift of life. Aliye was in a tragic car accident and on December 23, was declared brain dead. Aliye had signed up to be an organ donor when she got her first license, a decision her family said was completely in line with her character, she would have helped anyone.

“There is nothing I can do for Aliye anymore,” reflects Veck, “but this is something I can do in her honor – save more lives through Aliye. There was nothing good that came from that car accident, but if Aliye’s example can help get more people educated, and we can save more lives, that will be the silver lining.”

About LOPA

As the organ procurement organization for Louisiana, we help save lives, restore health and enhance medical care through organ and tissue donation. We are a non-profit that services our state’s diverse community by supporting families through tragic loss, during the donation process, and along their grief journey. Our team is passionate about sharing the impact of donation and educating professionals and the community.