Organ Donation Association Supports Living Organ Donation

VIENNA, Va., Feb. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Currently, there are more than 112,000 patients on the national organ transplant waiting list. These candidates often endure difficult yet necessary life-sustaining treatments while waiting for potential organ matches. Nineteen people die every day while waiting, and those that are eventually transplanted can endure wait times that can extend anywhere from 5-9 years.

The need for life-saving organ transplants was recently highlighted when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shared his friend and long-time coach is in need of a kidney transplant. The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations applauds Brady for the attention he has brought to living donation specifically and to all organ and tissue donation in general.

Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) are the national stewards of the precious gift of life. During 2011 the 58 federally designated OPOs helped more than 8,000 deceased donors and their families give the gift of organ donation. Several OPOs, in collaboration with their local transplant centers also have programs that support and facilitate living organ donation.

The most effective way to save lives through organ donation is by registering your personal decision through your state designated donor registry. Each state has a Uniform Anatomical Gift law that protects and facilitates deceased donation. For more information about donation or how to become a designated donor in your state, please visit Donate Life America at http://donatelife.net.

About AOPO
AOPO is a non-profit, national organization representing all federally-designated organ procurement organizations (OPOs). The association represents and serves OPOs through advocacy, support and the development of activities that will maximize the availability of organs and tissues and enhance the quality, effectiveness and integrity of the donation process.

About OPOs
OPOs are federally-designated non-profit organizations that are responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation across the United States, bridging the gap between the generous donation of organs and tissues, and the thousands in need of these life-saving and life enhancing gifts. The federal government has designated 58 organizations in the U.S. to oversee the organ donation process. These organizations are the national stewards of the donation, and they work collaboratively with hospitals, medical professionals and their local community to build the programs, the systems and processes needed to make donation possible.

SOURCE Association of Organ Procurement Organizations