American Kidney Fund Commends Iowa Governor and Lawmakers for Action on Organ Donation

American Kidney Fund
Sunday, 21 April 2002

(Rockville, MD) The American Kidney Fund (AKF) is applauding action taken by the Iowa legislature and Governor Tom Vilsack that would help ease the shortage of organs for transplantation. The First Person Consent Bill, signed by Governor Vilsack, states, "No person may revoke or in any way supercede a document of gift that is not revoked by the donor prior to the donor's death."

AKF Chairman of Medical Affairs, Paul W. Crawford, MD remarked, "We are facing a serious shortage of donor organs and the waiting lists keep growing. There are more than 52,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a kidney transplant, and most of them do not have the option of receiving a kidney from a living donor. They must rely on cadaver donors - generous, compassionate people who sign an organ donation card prior to their deaths."

The First Person Consent Bill is meant to remedy a significant barrier to organ transplants. Nearly two-thirds of Americans who sign organ donation cards will not have their wishes honored at the time of their death, largely because family members object to the deceased's intent and medical personnel are unable to proceed.

"It is altogether fitting and fair that the caring individuals who want to be organ donors are not prevented from sharing the gift of life. Iowa's First Person Consent Bill is an important mechanism in easing the shortage of donor organs and lawmakers elsewhere should be encouraged to follow Iowa's lead," Dr. Crawford concluded.

For more information, or to contact American Kidney Fund, see their website at: www.akfinc.org