NurseWeek

Number of organ donors growing this year

By Jill Braden Balderas
Health24News
September 13, 2000


	You've read the article. Now tell us what you think. Related Sites Association of Organ Procurement Organizations National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative

Washington (H24N). Good news for the 71,000 Americans waiting for an organ transplant: Organ donations are on the rise. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), during the first six months of 2000, the number of organ donors increased by 4 percent compared to the same period in 1999.

In 1998, there was a 6 percent increase in the number of donations, but last year remained stagnant.

"Our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation appear to be paying off, but we still have a long way to go," said HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, who made a pitch for more Americans to become organ donors.

The National Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative, launched in December of 1997, is a part of the campaign to bolster the number of organ donors. Roughly 13 patients a day, totaling about 5,000 each year, die while waiting for an organ transplant. The most needed organ is the kidney, followed by the liver and the heart.

"My colleagues and I welcome this increase," said Susan Gunderson, president of the AOPO. "And, we pledge to vigorously continue our efforts to broaden public awareness of and support for organ donation."

Tuesday the HHS also released the "Roles and Training in the Donation Process: A Resource Guide" to train hospital staff to communicate with grieving families to help them make decisions about the donation process.