Organ transplantation is one of the 20th century's most miraculous medical breakthroughs. Yet, there simply are not enough organs available to help everyone in need. As a result, an average of 15 people die every day waiting to receive an organ transplant.

Organ Donation Awareness Programs
While medical researchers look for ways to combat illnesses that make transplantation necessary, as a healthcare executive you and the organizations you serve can join the crusade from a critical vantagepoint. ACHE—in support of the Department of Health and Human Services "Gift of Life" initiative—urges our affiliates to advocate organ donation and to develop organ donation programs in their own organizations. The Healthcare Executive magazine article, "Sharing the Gift of Life: Your Role in Raising Organ Donor Awareness," outlines specific ways healthcare organizations can work with their staff, organ procurement organizations, and communities to meet growing needs.

Downloadable Donor Card
Signing a donor card clearly communicates your desire to donate. Please use this downloadable Organ/Tissue Donor Card (PDF) to share with your family, friends, and staff. Remind them that even when a donor card indicates the donor's wishes, next-of-kin will be asked to provide consent before donation can occur. If you prefer to have a card sent to you, contact the HRSA Information Center (HIC) at 1-888-ASK-HRSA. (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.)

ACHE's Public Policy Statement
ACHE recommends that all healthcare executives work to increase the supply of available organs for transplantation. Our official position on the issue is outlined in our Public Policy Statement on organ donation.

Increasing Organ Donation and Procurement: The Hospital Leader’s Role (PDF Article)
Deborah A. Labb
Healthcare Executive 20:3, 2005

Links to Other Sites
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.organdonor.gov
The HHS provides valuable information and resources that your organization and your community can use to promote donor awareness. It also outlines details of Secretary Tommy Thompson's "Gift of Life Donation Initiative."

Association of Organ Procurement Organizations
http://www.aopo.org/internetfiles/aopo2/
The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) is a private, nonprofit organization recognized as a national representative of organ procurement organizations (OPOs). AOPO is a professional organization dedicated to the special concerns of OPOs. AOPO represents and serves OPOs through advocacy, support, and development of activities that will maximize the availability of organs and tissues and enhance the quality, effectiveness, and integrity of the donation process.

Coalition on Donation
http://www.shareyourlife.org/
The Coalition on Donation is a non-profit alliance of major professional, patient, health, science, transplant, and voluntary organizations. Its purpose is to increase public awareness of organ and tissue donation, correct misconceptions about donation, and increase willingness to donate.

Lifenet
http://www.lifenet.org/
Site provides information to the transplant community, including patients, families, caregivers, health professionals, and the general public.

National Kidney Foundation/National Donor Family Council
http://www.kidney.org/recips/donor/
The National Donor Family Council supports the needs and expectations of all organ and tissue donor families and assists the healthcare professionals who work most closely with these families.

National Marrow Donor Program
http://www.marrow.org/
The National Marrow Donor Program aims to establish, maintain, and improve a system that provides bone marrow transplants from volunteer unrelated donors for patients with leukemia and other life threatening blood diseases.

Organ Procurement Organizations
http://www.aopo.org/internetfiles/aopo2/
Organ procurement organizations coordinate activities relating to organ procurement in a designated service area. They evaluate potential donors, discuss donation with family members, and arrange for the surgical removal of donated organs. OPOs also are responsible for preserving organs and arranging for their distribution according to national organ sharing policies. There are currently 59 organ procurement organizations throughout the U.S.

Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO)
http://www.trioweb.org/
Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc, (TRIO) is an independent, non-profit, international organization, working to improve the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, donors, and their families. Through the TRIO headquarters and a network of chapters and members-at-large, TRIO serves its members in the areas of donor awareness, support, education, and advocacy.

TransWeb
http://www.transweb.org/
TransWeb is a non-profit educational project that provides extensive information on a wide range of topics. Test your knowledge of organ transplantation by taking the quiz.

United Network for Organ Sharing
http://www.optn.org/
The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit organization that was awarded the contract by the Department of Health and Human Services to operate the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and to develop a national system to assure equal access for all patients needing organs for transplantation.