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THE NEED FOR ORGAN AND TISSUE DONORS CONTINUES TO RISE
Donor Alliance encourages people to register their decision
DENVER—November 29, 2006—According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), transplantation has saved and enhanced the lives of more than 300,000 people in the United States. Despite that impressive number, the need for donors continues to rise at a faster rate than organs are made available for transplant.
“One of the nation’s most pressing public health issues is the widening gap between the supply and demand for organ and tissue transplants,” explained Sue Dunn, president and CEO of Donor Alliance. “With more than 1,600 people in Colorado and Wyoming waiting for an organ transplant, we are taking part in a national collaborative to encourage people in our two-state area to register their decision to be organ and tissue donors.”
As the holiday season approaches, Donor Alliance continues to make public outreach and education a top priority. “What better time than the season of giving is there to talk to your family about giving the gift of life and then taking action and registering to be an organ and tissue donor,” said Dunn.
The community has seen success - in 2005, 62 percent of people who obtained or renewed their Colorado driver’s license said ‘yes’ to donation. In Wyoming that number was 85 percent.
“We are pleased, but there is still more we can do,” said Dunn. “Our organization is dedicated to increasing the number of people on the Donor Registries and this holiday season, we will highlight some of the personal and inspirational stories from donor families and recipients, encouraging people to take action.”
One donor can save the lives of eight people and enhance the lives of more than 100. Donor Alliance is tremendously thankful to the family members of donors and to those who have signed-up on the Donor Registry. The organization continues to encourage everyone to register their decision to be organ and tissue donors and give the gift of life.
For more information about organ and tissue donation, please visit DonorAlliance.org. To register to be an organ and tissue donor, please visit ColoradoDonorRegistry.org or WyomingDonorRegistry.org or call 303.329.4747 or toll-free at 1.888.256.4386.
About Donor Alliance
Donor Alliance is the federally designated non-profit organ procurement organization serving Colorado and most of Wyoming. As a recognized leader in facilitating the donation and recovery of transplantable organs and tissues, Donor Alliance’s primary objectives are to save and enhance the lives of others. To achieve these objectives, Donor Alliance employs effective family approach and recovery programs in over 100 hospitals and increases the awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation through public awareness and education campaigns in its service area. For more information, visit DonorAlliance.org. Visit ColoradoDonorRegistry.org or WyomingDonorRegistry.org to register to be an organ and tissue donor.
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