NASHVILLE, TN – Considering the ultimate gift to give this holiday? LifeSharers out of Nashville are asking for everyone to give the gift of life. Organizers of the non-profit group are simply asking for people to sign an organ donation card. It’s a simple request, but the group goes above and beyond with a movement that’s gaining ground and controversy along the way.
Medical statistics show that about 50% of the organs transplanted in the United States go to people who are not registered organ donors. A law professor and advisor to LifeSharers explains a solution to fixing the severe organ shortage.
"Because of our system of presumed non-consent to organ donation, there is a large shortage of organs for transplantation in the United States,” says Gerry W. Beyer, professor of law at Texas Tech University School of Law. “To me, there is an inherent fairness in having organs made available first to individuals who have indicated their willingness to donate their own organs."
Medical statistics also show that more than 100,000 people are on the national transplant waiting list and most of them will die waiting, because every year Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs.
Another Advisor and law professor writes, “ By giving people an incentive to become organ donors, LifeSharers offers hope to those otherwise doomed by our government to die while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant operation.” Lloyd Cohen teaches for George Mason University School of Law.
LifeSharers believes that 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. It’s a philosophy that’s gaining ground with each new member. The non-profit organ donation group has increased its membership 17% since the last holiday drive. LifeSharers now boasts 11,846 members with representation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Not every patient, doctor or donor agrees with LifeSharers, however. Critics believe the sickest of people should have priority, not people who belong to some “club”.
To learn more about LifeSharers and read other articles, click
here.
