Organ donation is among the top priorities of Tommy G. Thompson, the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Secretary Thompson said on February 9 that in his first 100 days in office he plans to launch a new national effort to encourage organ donation. A statement from HHS did not give details of the plan.
Secretary Thompson made his comments when he helped kick off the fourth annual National Donor Day at the Chicago Auto Show. The day is a collaborative effort led by Saturn and the United Auto Workers to make facilities available nationwide for individuals to make the pledge to be organ and bone marrow donors and to donate blood.
"We need a national donation effort that measures up to the medical miracle of organ transplantation," Secretary Thompson said. "We need to fully recognize the value of the gift that is made by donors and their families, and we need to bring about more donation to save more lives."
In a statement issued by the United Network for Organ Sharing commending Secretary Thompson for his efforts, UNOS applauded him for "his reminder to talk to loved ones about organ donation."
For Your Information:
HHS’s statement is posted at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2001pres/20010209.html.
UNOS’s statement is posted at www.unos.org/Newsroom/archive_newsrelease_20010209_Thompson.htm.
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