A new poll indicates that the number of New Jersey residents who have agreed to become an organ donor has nearly doubled in three years.
A telephone survey of 800 New Jerseyans, conducted by the Eagleton Institute of Politics for the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (The Sharing Network) organ procurement organization, found that one in four state residents have signed a document indicating their intention to become an organ donor. A similar survey conducted in 1998 showed that 13% of state residents had decided to become donors.
Despite the willingness of New Jersey residents to donate their organs, the survey found that people still hold many misconceptions about the donation process. "There are still myths surrounding organ donations that we need to clear up," William Reitsma, chief operating officer of The Sharing Network, said in a statement.
According to the survey, about 30% of New Jerseyans feel that people who have signed a donor card are often or sometimes not treated as thoroughly as other people in a hospital or emergency room. About 30% also feel that certain people waiting for transplants are often or sometimes given preferential treatment based on their race.
Although a donor's closest relative must give consent before an organ can be transplanted, 68% of the New Jersey residents surveyed said that a signed donor card should be sufficient consent, and only 22% said the next of kin should have final approval.
More than 1,900 New Jersey residents are awaiting organ transplants, according to The Sharing Network.
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The Sharing Network's website is at www.sharenj.org. A statement is posted at http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/010503/nyth023.html.
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