Organ donation in Illinois, northwest Indiana reach record level
Record levels of organ donation for the second consecutive year mark a new milestone in Illinois and northwest Indiana. For the first time ever in 2003, more than 300 families consented to organ donation, resulting in nearly 1,000 lifesaving organs transplanted.
Only two other organ procurement regions in the United States have ever reached this level of donation in a single year. "This means that what is taking place here in Illinois is truly a model for success in educating the public about donation and saving the lives of patients awaiting organ transplants," said Jarold Anderson, president/CEO of the Elmhurst-based Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, in announcing the region's 2003 donation rates.
In 2003, 972 lifesaving organs were made available for transplant because of the generous decisions of 309 families in Illinois and northwest Indiana to consent to organ donation. That compares with 929 transplants made possible through 289 donors in 2002.
In addition to last year's record level of organ donation, 870 families consented to tissue donation, enabling tens of thousands of patients to receive medical transplants of bone, heart valves and other tissues.
Donation has remained strong so far in 2004, Anderson said. He credits the region's increased donation activity to higher levels of identification and referral of potential donors to Gift of Hope from the 185 hospitals in its service area, as well as the support of funeral directors, coroners and medical examiners to ensure that donation remains possible for families who wish to donate.
As the national organ transplant waiting list climbed by nearly 3,000 patients to 83,315 people from January 2003 to January 2004, the number of patients registered for organ transplants with Illinois' eight transplant centers has increased by 70, to 4,419 patients.
Meanwhile, the ongoing shortage of donated organs meant more than 260 patients at Illinois transplant centers died in 2003 while waiting for an organ—a heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas or small intestine—that never became available.
Organs and tissues from a single donor can help more than 25 individuals. Everyone, no matter how young or old, can be a lifesaver by choosing to be an organ and tissue donor. To become a donor, sign a Uniform Donor Card (such as the card on the back of a driver's license) and, most importantly, inform family members of the decision. In Illinois, a family's consent is required before donation can occur.
For more information, contact Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network at (888) 307-DON8 or visit giftofhope.org. |
