Program Salutes Greg Freeman and the Post Dispatch

Organ/Tissue Donation and Registry

Greg Freeman, notable radio talk-show host and columnist for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, understood organ donation in a way most people do not. Greg was a successful kidney recipient. Greg Freeman, in his work for the St. Louis Post Dispatch, has been the catalyst for the newspaper sponsoring a year-long series on organ donation. This series impacted the state of Missouri and the Organ Donor Registry in ways he never anticipated.

It was almost three years ago when Greg Freeman was told that his kidneys were failing. Without a transplant, Greg expected to spend many of his remaining days on dialysis. Greg was blessed to receive the gift of life from his sister, who donated one of her kidneys in November of 2001.

..."We believe the year-long series has had positive impact on registry participation," explains Lori Darr, Program Manager for the Missouri Organ Donor Registry. More than 500 Missourians enrolled in the state's Organ Donor Registry in direct response to the Post-Dispatch's printed enrollment form…

Greg understood the importance of the printed word. He also knew that transplantation has become much more successful in recent decades and offers real hope for those who are lucky enough to receive the gift. Still, many people die because an organ did not become available in time. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that each day about 63 people receive an organ transplant, but another 16 people on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available.

Greg wanted to get the word out and he wanted people to value the gift of life. So, his personal account of the kidney transplant was one of the first stories to run when the series began in April 2002. Since then, the Post-Dispatch has run more than 50 features, stories, and editorials on various topics related to donation and transplantation. In addition, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has printed registry enrollment forms at least four times. More than 500 Missourians enrolled in the state's Organ Donor Registry in direct response to the Post-Dispatch's printed enrollment form.

We believe the year-long series has had positive impact on registry participation," explains Lori Darr, Program Manager for the Missouri Organ Donor Registry. "State-wide participation for people ages 18 to 64 years is 43%, but participation averages 49% for the same age group in Jefferson, St. Louis and St. Charles counties," Darr describes.

Because of Greg's efforts and the positive impact the articles have had, the Missouri Organ Donor Program and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services nominated him and the team of Post-Dispatch writers for the Missouri Public Health Association (MPHA) Media Award. This award is given in recognition of significant media contributions to public health education in Missouri. Greg Freeman received the award on behalf of the Post-Dispatch on October 29, 2002.

Greg Freeman passed away on December 31, 2002. He will be greatly missed. His newspaper articles and stories live on and remain a testament to his journalistic skills, and his dedication to the people of St. Louis. But for many others, Greg will be best loved for his love of life. Even in death, he shared the gift of life - he became a donor. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services remembers and honors Greg Freeman.