For Immediate Release:

May 6, 2003

Contact:

Lori Darr

Missouri Organ Program Manager

(573) 522-2828

Organ Donation Registry Reaches 1.8 million

The Missouri Organ Donor Registry adds new hope for over 3,200 Missourians waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Since 1996 when the Missouri Organ Donation Program began, the program has reached new heights. More than 1.8 million Missourians are listed on the confidential registry as potential donors.

Major enhancements were made to the Registry using web-based technology that has improved access to the registry. The new system allows agencies that facilitate organ donation access to the registry 24 hours a day and allows program staff to directly enroll people wanting to become a donor. Missourians can also enroll while renewing their driver’s licenses. Approximately 12,500 to 15,000 Missourians sign up for the registry each week through the driver’s license renewal process. Funding for the program is received through $1.00 donations at the driver’s licenses offices throughout the state and direct contributions.

“Individuals are encouraged to consider signing up to become an organ and/or tissue donor or to give monetarily, said Lori Darr, manager of the Missouri Organ Donor Program. “Either way can have an impact on saving someone’s life.”

During June through November of 2002, 189 donors helped as many as 900 people across the nation through lifesaving organ transplants and several thousand people through tissue and corneal transplants.

Darr added that almost anyone can become a donor. Age or chronic illness may not prevent someone from donating an organ. Their medical condition at the time of death determines which organs and tissues can be donated. Organs that can be donated include heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines. Tissues include the eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and tendons.

“The single most important step is for Missourians to let their family know their wishes, so after their death, their family will know what to do,” said Darr.

To learn more about the Missouri Organ Donor Registry or how to become an organ and tissue donor, contact the Missouri organ Donor Program at 888-497-4564.

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Editor’s Note:

Recently the DHSS, Midwest Transplant Network, Mid-America Transplant Services and the Missouri Lion’s Eye Bank hosted Organ and Tissue Donor Day at the Missouri State Capitol. The event featured the heartfelt story of Ruth Parker, a living liver donor and 13-year-old Lindsay Carter, the recipient of Ruth’s life-saving gift. Ms. Parker shared her experience as an anonymous donor and spoke of the joy she has received from later getting to know Lindsay and the Carter family. In addition, Ms. Linda Carter, Lindsay’s mother, spoke of how Lindsay’s liver disease progressed and the family feared she would not receive a transplant in time to save her life. Now, after two and one-half years after the transplant, Lindsay is healthy and active.

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Two and a half years after a successful liver transplant, Lindsay Carter (far right) is pictured with Ruth Parker, her living liver donor. The two shared their stories at Organ and Tissue Donor Day at the Missouri State Capitol, an event promoting registry and donation awareness. Also pictured are Bernard Malone, director, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Lori Darr, (second to left) manager, Missouri Organ Donor Program, both of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.