Westerly - In recognition of National Donate Life Month, The Westerly Hospital will host an organ and tissue drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18 in the hospital’s main lobby.

During that time, a representative from the New England Organ Bank will be onsite to provide information about organ and tissue donation and assist participants in registering as an organ and tissue donor. In most New England states, drivers can sign up to be a donor when they apply for or renew their driver’s license. In addition to signing up through the license process, anyone over the age of 18 can register as a donor online at www.donatelifenewengland.org.

Last year alone, organ donors saved more than 28,000 lives. Another one million people received tissue transplants that helped them recover from skin loss, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss. And yet sadly, thousands more die every year waiting for a donor match that never comes.