Back Organ Donor Bill

Beaver county Times September 30, 2003

Twelve people die every day waiting for an organ transplant, yet only some 20% of Americans are registered donors.

The United Network for Organ Sharing typically has more than 4,000 cardiac patients on its waiting list. At least 2,000 cardiac transplants are done in the US annually. 92.4% survive a year, 77% survive five, and 47.2% survive twelve. There just aren't enough donors.

It is improper for medical people to broach the subject of organ donation until the donor is brain dead. Up to that moment, every effort is made on behalf of that patient. After that moment is emotionally one of the worst possible times to approach the family. Unfortunately the clock is ticking on every prospective organ.

There is an alternative. Almost 95% of the Spanish are registered donors. European countries support every aspect of organ donation. Under our laws, the donation is a gift. The cost may even be borne by the donor. Their only benefit is the knowledge that the lives of heart, lung, liver, and kidney recipients have been saved.

Rep. James Hansen (R, Utah) introduced The Gift of Life Tax Credit Act of 2001 (HR 1872) during the last session. It provided that donors receive 1) their burial expenses, 2) a $10,000 tax credit, or 3) a $2,500 tax rebate. Such a payment would be a public statement to the family that "You have given our society a most precious gift. Thank You."

Research, such as The National Heart Transplant Study, indicates that by supporting the donor effort we could double the number of donors. That would double the number of lives saved.

The Conference of Consumer Organizations is asking you to contact Rep. Melissa Hart, (Jeff.Iseman@mail.house.gov ) and tell her that this is a good idea. Breathe life into the idea, and save some lives.

Roger Thomas

Harmony Township

Roger is a director of COCO, www.oocities.org/Roger_Thomas_edu/COCO.htm .