Organ trail: That $1 question isn’t an option
The Oklahoman Editorial
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4
Published: November 3, 2009
We wish more state programs were funded voluntarily, so it’s hard to find fault with a state law requiring the solicitation of donations by tag agents to fund an organ donor awareness program. Still, we can understand why some agents are uncomfortable asking for the donation when citizens renew a driver’s license or car tag.
Figures released by the Oklahoma Tag Agent Group and the Department of Public Safety indicate that some tag agents apparently aren’t asking people if they wish to give $1 to the fund. Some agents are either unaware of the law or forget to ask the question. In at least a few cases, agents or their employees might be uncomfortable making the request.
A 2001 law created the mandate to ask for the contributions, according to
The Oklahoman’s Ann Kelley. Among all charitable causes and medical condition awareness campaigns, the organ donation program has the singular distinction of enjoying the mandate. Backers of other causes would likely want the same treatment, but for now the organ donation fund is the only vehicle.
It’s hard to understand how agents could forget to ask when helping a customer renew a driver’s license because they already ask whether the licensee wishes to be designated as a potential organ donor.
Next time you’re hit up for the $1 donation, don’t blame the tag agencies. They’re following the law by asking a question that led to collection of nearly $150,000 in fiscal year 2009.
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I don't blame tag agents for not wanting to beg money from customers, especially in light of all the other good charitable causes out there that don't get an even playing field.
Why doesn't OTC just add this donation to the Oklahoma Income Tax Return like all other state supported charities? Oh yeah, forgot ... the micromanaging legislature!
Over half of the 100,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage – give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 13,000 members at this writing, including 88 members in Oklahoma.
Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your readers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you're interested. My email address is daveundis@lifesharers.org. My phone number is 615-351-8622.