Majority of Americans Express Interest in Organ
Donations but Few Register
Senior citizens are potential donors – no
restrictions due to age, race, or medical history. Survey finds
other misperceptions are common
April 13, 2009 - While the number of Americans
registered as organ and tissue donors is rising, the registry still only
includes 38 percent of licensed drivers, according to a report card
issued by Donate Life America this year. Yet, according to a new survey
of Americans, 72 percent of people want their decision to donate
honored, even if their family disagrees.
"The number of people awaiting organ transplants
has climbed to more than 100,000 – and an average of 18 people die each
day waiting for available organs," said Donate Life America Chair Sara
Pace Jones. "It is more important than ever for those who support
donation to legally document those wishes – and registering through the
DMV or state donor registries are the most important ways to do that.
Anyone can find out how to register in their state by visiting
www.donatelife.net or
www.facebook.com/donatelife."
The online survey of 5,100 U.S. adults – supported
by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. – uncovered some misperceptions and
confusion about organ donation and registration. Among them:
● Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of people who
say they are undecided, reluctant or do not wish to donate are not sure
they would be an acceptable donor. Yet, in reality, age or health
conditions do not prevent people from being potential donors as donation
screening only occurs before organs and tissue are recovered for
transplant.
● Only half (50 percent) of respondents
correctly believe that doctors will try as hard to save their life even
if they know their wish to be an organ donor
● Just under half (44 percent) mistakenly think
that in the U.S. there is a black market in which people can buy or sell
organs or tissue.
● Only 43 percent of respondents understand that
it is impossible for a brain dead person to recover from his or her
injuries.
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● Anyone can be a potential donor regardless
of age, race, or medical history.
● There is no cost to the donor or their
family for organ or tissue donation.
● All major religions in the United States
support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of
love and generosity toward others.
Statistics
Although there have been advances in medical
technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation
still vastly exceeds the number of donors.
● Almost 100,000 men, women and children
currently need life-saving organ transplants.
● Every 12 minutes another name is added to the
national organ transplant waiting list.
● An average of 18 people die each day from the
lack of available organs for transplant.
● In 2005, there were 7,593 deceased organ donors
and 6,895 living organ donors resulting in 28,108 organ transplants.
● In 2005, 44,000 grafts were made available for
transplant by eye banks within the United States.
● Approximately 1,000,000 tissue transplants are
performed annually.
● According to research, 98% of all adults have
heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.
● 90% of Americans say they support donation, but
only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.
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"There is a real crisis taking place with regards
to organ availability in this country – and dispelling commonly held
misperceptions and increasing the public's trust of the donation and
transplant system is paramount when it comes to solving it," said Pace
Jones.
To help spread the word about the importance of
organ donation registration, Donate Life America is celebrating National
Donate Life Month in April with numerous local and national educational
programs and several new initiatives, including the launch of the
official Donate Life America Facebook fan page,
www.facebook.com/donatelife. The page makes it easy for users to
register as donors in their states and share messages in support of
organ and tissue donation. It also features monthly polls; posts from
celebrities, recipients, donors and donor families encouraging donor
registration; and listings of resources and upcoming events.
Information Source:
About the Survey
The survey was fielded through Survey Sampling
International, one of the largest providers of online panels in the
U.S., during February 2009 on behalf of Donate Life America. The online
survey of 5,100 U.S. adults included a sample size of 100 in each state
plus the District of Columbia. The aggregated nationwide data was
weighted to reflect the relative proportion of the U.S. adult population
in each state. The sample was controlled to match the U.S. population as
a whole on age, gender, education, income and ethnicity.
About Donate Life America
Donate Life America is a non-for-profit alliance of
national organizations and state teams across the United States, serving
as a national voice and inspiring all people to save enhance lives
through organ, eye and tissue donation. For more information, visit
www.donatelife.net.
About Astellas
Astellas is a recognized leader in transplantation
and has been committed to the field of immunology for more than 20
years. Dedicated to supporting the advancement of care for patients,
Astellas continues to build upon its legacy and leadership in
transplantation by investing in ongoing clinical research and new
product development.
Astellas Pharma US, Inc., located in Deerfield,
Illinois, is a US affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. Astellas
is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people
around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable
pharmaceutical products. The organization is committed to becoming a
global category leader in focused areas by combining outstanding R&D and
marketing capabilities. In the US, Astellas markets products in the
areas of Immunology, Urology, Anti-Infectives, Cardiovascular and
Dermatology. For more information about Astellas Pharma US, Inc., please
visit our Web site at
www.astellastransplant.com.
More Related links
These links connect you to the Web sites of
organizations that promote and support organ donation through community
and nationwide educational programs and initiatives:
www.donevida.org
Created and maintained by Donate Life America,
www.donevida.org addresses misinformation and mistrust of the
transplant network and the healthcare system among Hispanics.
www.organtransplants.org
An in-depth Web documentary focusing on the miracle of organ, eye and
tissue transplantation in America.
www.unos.org
Created and maintained by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS),
www.unos.org is the organ transplantation and donation data and
information resource for medical professionals and the general public.
UNOS brings together medicine, science, public policy and technology to
facilitate every organ transplant performed in the United States.
www.transplantliving.org
Created and maintained by UNOS, the Transplant Living Web site is the
definitive information and education resource for transplant patients
and their families.
www.organdonor.gov
Maintained by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA),
Healthcare Systems Bureau (HSB), Division of Transplantation, an agency
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human,
www.organdonor.gov is the U.S. Government Web site for organ, eye
and tissue donation and transplantation.
