Casey Introduces Legislation to Boost Organ Donation Research, Increase Awareness

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that he has introduced new legislation, the Organ Donation Awareness and Promotion Act of 2015, to boost research into organ donation science and to increase awareness. Over 123,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Approximately, 21 people die each day waiting for an organ that may never arrive -- which translates into over 6,200 people who pass away each year while waiting.

"There are few acts more selfless and more powerful than the decision to donate a loved one's organs," Senator Casey said. "It's hard to imagine how a family summons the strength to donate a loved one's organs especially after a tragic event. But over and over again families in our state and across the nation have chosen to give the gift of life to someone in need. This legislation will build on the successful work already being done to invest in research and promote awareness."

Charles, M. Miller, M.D., American Society of Transplant Surgeons President: "Educating the public about the importance of organ donation is critical to saving lives. More than 6,000 people died in 2014 while waiting for an organ. The American Society of Transplant Surgeons applauds Senator Casey's efforts to increase funding for public education under the Public Health Service Act and encourage more people to save lives by becoming organ donors."

David J. Reich, M.D., Professor and Chief of Transplantation at Hahnemann University Hospital and Drexel University College of Medicine: "Pennsylvania has a long tradition of leadership in organ donation and transplantation. Transplant professionals strongly support Senator Casey's efforts to enhance the federal commitment to increasing organ donation for patients in our state and across the country."

In FY 2015, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was appropriated a total of $23,549,000 on organ transplantation activities, approximately half of which was used to operate the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Increasing the funding dedicated to awareness and educational efforts will help increase the number of registered organ donors, who are more likely to become donors in the event of death than unregistered individuals whose families must make the decision.

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