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RE: From Nuisance Moose to Anatomical Gifts...
by David J. Undis

 

June 20, 2004
Sunday


HB 337, which establishes an organ donor registry in Alaska, will save lives by making it easier to become an organ donor. Unfortunately, there aren't enough people willing to be donors in the first place. Americans bury or cremate half of the organs that could save lives and relieve suffering. Thousands of their neighbors die needlessly every year as a result.

The solution to the organ shortage is simple -- if you don't agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live.

A grass-roots group of organ donors called LifeSharers is making this idea a reality one member at a time.

LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die, and they give fellow members "first dibs" on their organs. This creates a pool of organs available first to members. The existence of this pool gives other people an incentive to sign donor cards and join the network, and this incentive grows stronger as the network expands.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers at http://www.lifesharers.com. Membership is free.

LifeSharers has 2,343 members in 49 states and the District of Columbia, including 5 members in Alaska.



David J. Undis
Executive Director
LifeSharers
www.lifesharers.com
E-mail: daveundis@lifeshares.com
Nashville, TN - USA

 

Related News:

From Nuisance Moose to Anatomical Gifts, Governor Signs Twelve Bills
Thursday, June 17, 2004

 

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