To promote National Donor Awareness Week (April 16-22), a national campaign is under way to attack common myths of organ donation. The campaign is part of a yearlong effort by
The Coalition on Donation, The United Network for Organ Sharing and the Advertising Council to address the rumors and misinformation that cause people to reject organ donation.
The problem is dire-more than 13 people die every day in the U.S. waiting for a transplant.
The most common misconception is the belief that signing a donor card or indicating "donor" on a driver's license is sufficient to convey a person's consent to donate organs.
Most people don't realize that a family discussion must also take place that expresses the donor's intent. Another myth is that ER doctors who know a patient is an organ donor
will not work as hard to save the patient's life.
The campaign, which includes television, radio, newspaper, magazine and the Internet, is the fifth phase of an ongoing effort by the Coalition, UNOS and the Advertising
Council.
(UNOS, Bob Spieldenner, 804/327-1432)