Organ donor's wishes legally binding

[okarol]

Organ donor's wishes legally binding

KAREN GARLOCH
kgarloch@charlotteobserver.com
 Sep. 06, 2007

North Carolina will soon join 44 other states in ensuring that the wishes of potential organ donors, as expressed on their driver's licenses, are respected.

A new law, which takes effect Oct. 1, makes a driver's decision to be an organ donor, as designated by a red heart on a driver's license, legally binding. Gov. Mike Easley signed the bill Friday.

In the past, the red heart indicated the driver's intention to be a donor, but it could be overturned by the owner's family. Under the new law, a family member's permission will not be needed to carry out wishes conveyed on driver's licenses.

Currently, about 3.3 million or 45 percent of N.C. drivers have a red heart on their licenses. The information is stored in the N.C. Donor Registry, a database that can only be accessed at the time of death by the state's three donor recovery agencies -- LifeShare Of The Carolinas, Carolina Donor Services and the NC Eye Bank. The information is then presented to the potential donor's next-of-kin.

Plans are to update the online registry so drivers can designate their wishes on organ donation without visiting the DMV.

LifeShare is the organ procurement agency that serves southwestern North Carolina. Details: www.lifesharecarolinas.org or 704-512-3303.

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/266148.html

[Wattle]

   After all it is the donors wishes not the families.   

[charee]

if only we could get that passed here

[goofynina]

Another step forward in the right directions 

[paris]

It took us awhile, but am glad to see my state decided to make the right decision.

[George Jung]

Karol, you just OWN the News Articles section.  How do you, in California, get this article before I, in North Carolina, even see it?  I read the paper most days and I didn't see or hear this one. 

This law rocks and you do too Karol, thanks.