Patients abound, but donors are scarce

[okarol]

Patients abound, but donors are scarce

New efforts to recruit donors are controversial

By DOROTHY SCHNEIDER
dschneider@journalandcourier.com
08-05-07 2:00 AM EST     

Despite the fact that nearly 100,000 sick Americans are waiting for organ donations, statistics show fewer than half of adults in the United States are registered donors.

The disparity astonishes many. But some understand, knowing they too haven't registered as a donor on their license or online because of fear, personal beliefs or simply not knowing how to sign up.

"Everyone knows rationally that they're not going to need their organs after they die, but there's always that little thing in the back of their mind," said Susan Morgan, associate professor in health communication at Purdue University.

"It's also very human to go 'ick' when they think about having some of their organs removed."

But with an estimated 16 people dying every day because they couldn't get a transplant in time, Morgan and others are trying to raise awareness of the need and convince more donors to sign up.

Morgan is working with a Hollywood advocacy group hoping to present positive donation and transplant stories through television. Her new research shows that inaccurate organ donation storylines coming out of Hollywood are negatively swaying public opinion and have stopped some potential donors from registering.

Morgan's work prompted the launch of a new organization -- Donate Life Hollywood -- that plans to promote correct and positive coverage of organ donation and transplant stories on television.

A group called LifeSharers is taking a different approach by trying to offer added incentive to registered donors. David Undis started the organization several years ago for people who will agree to first offer their organs to another registered LifeSharers member when they pass away.

Undis said he was frustrated about the number of patients waiting on the transplant list and the number of viable organs needlessly buried or cremated in the United States each day.

"Until LifeSharers came along, the only benefit was the possibility that you might help other people. And sadly that's just not enough motivation for about half of adult Americans," Undis said.

Although the organs of a LifeSharers member are first offered to other group members, Undis said if there's no match, then the organs will be offered to the general public. A member has to be signed up for six months before they qualify for a LifeSharers organ.

The group doubled its membership last year and now has more than 9,400 members, including 211 in Indiana.

Some argue this organization creates a separate class of organ donors, but Undis brushes off the idea, pointing out that LifeSharers is free and open to anyone.

Sam Davis, director of public affairs for the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, said the LifeSharers group is controversial and many within the national donor network feel the system is not practical because it sets up "a cascade of 'conditions' one would have to meet."

"The current system is viable and is always being reviewed for effectiveness and fairness," he said. "Some might not agree with that, but the LifeSharers option won't likely create the benefits suggested."

Undis said his group is simply aiming to promote donation and ensure fairness.

"What we offer is a really good trade. If you agree to donate your organs after you're dead and can't use them anymore, you'll be first in line if you ever need (an organ)," he said.

http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/LIFE03/708050364

[whitehorse]

I think that the Insurance companies ( Medicare included ) would be forced to pay the costs if it was made legal in the US to be compensated for a kidney. To refuse would open them for major legal  battles  . But in the end , wouldn't they save all those dialysis dollars ?