Bill Would Revise Organ Donation Laws

Angela Blanchard

January 17, 2007

More than 94,000 Americans are waiting for organ transplants, and that list is growing. The problem is, they have to wait for a tragedy. Among those who are killed, not enough of them are on the donor list. Lawmakers reviewed a bill that would revise the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and some hope would add names to the donor list.

The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act regulates organ and tissue donation and transplantation. All 50 states adopted the act in 1968, but it hasn`t been revised since 1987. The Kerstings of West Fargo know all too well the need for organ and tissue donors.

"This is my daughter Alexa," says Loren Kersting, holding a framed photograph.

In 2004, the 14 year old died waiting for a lung transplant.

"People like Alexa don`t have months, they don`t have weeks," says Alexa`s mom, Monica Kersting. "A week would have made a difference in her case."

"Alexa was number one and waited seven months," says Loren. "What about number two, or 10 or 20?"

Sen. Ralph Kilzer is the prime sponsor of the bill to revise the UAGA. He says the intent of the legislation is to rapidly identify who can be a donor and who can`t be a donor. Minors age 14 to 18 would be able to add "donor" to their driver`s license and donate under a parent`s approval. The bill would also clarify who can make that final decision.

"For example, if a parent dies, one sibling would be able to make the gift," said South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty of Bismarck. "If there is a disagreement among siblings, a majority would be a able to make the gift."

Questions were raised over tissue donation in rural states.

"If a death occurred in a distant county, the concept of flying someone to observe a transplant is just not feasible," says Dr. Mary Ann Sens, Grand Forks County coroner.

The bill will move on to a committee vote. In the meantime, the Kerstings urge anyone who can to become a donor. LifeSource, a non-profit that serves the Upper Midwest, found that 96% of people surveyed support organ donation. Between 40%-50% percent of North Dakotans already have "donor" on their driver`s license.

This article posted February 15, 2007.

Bill Would Revise Organ Donation Laws

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