Organ donation

More than 50% of Residents Registered Donors

Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Palin last week applauded the milestone that more than half of Alaska residents - 335,033 people - have signed up to be organ and tissue donors. Alaska is the first state with a donor registry to enroll more than half of its state’s population. The Governor, First Gentleman and their two oldest children are organ and tissue donors.

“I am proud that so many residents recognize the life-giving benefits of organ and tissue donation,” Governor Palin said. “Their willingness to donate demonstrates the selfless and generous nature of Alaskans.”    » read more »

August 14, 2007 -- After immunosuppressants, the best medicine for organ transplant patients might be gratitude.

In a study of organ recipients, researchers from UC Davis and the Mississippi University for Women found that patients who keep "gratitude journals" score better on measures of mental health, general health and vitality than those who keep only routine notes about their days.

"We found that increased feelings of gratitude can cause people's well-being and quality of life to improve," said Robert Emmons, a UC Davis professor who specializes in the study of gratitude.    » read more »

August 03, 2007-- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that Wisconsin is leading the country in organ donation. In 2006 alone, 767 organ transplants were completed in Wisconsin. The Governor made the announcement during the 14th annual Gift of Life Medal Ceremony to honor families whose departed loved ones donated their organs.    » read more »

Levin substitute to H.R. 710

July 9, 2007 -- "Mr. President, this bipartisan substitute is nearly identical to S.487, which I introduced along with Senators Bond, Dorgan, Graham, Durbin, Mikulski, Pryor, Cardin, Isakson, Coleman, Brown, and Chambliss, and which passed the Senate on February 15, 2007. Companion legislation was introduced in the House where it was renamed in honor of our House colleague, the late Representative Charles Norwood, a longtime advocate of organ donation, who sponsored the legislation earlier this year along with Representative Jay Inslee.    » read more »

June 19, 2007 -- A new Mayo Clinic study found that liver transplantation can be performed safely in patients who are considered medically obese. Mayo researchers will report their findings on June 22 at the International Liver Transplantation Society's Annual International Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.    » read more »

June 5, 2007 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued the following statement on the University of Michigan Survival Flight tragedy:

"This is a heartbreaking day for the University of Michigan community and for the entire state of Michigan. These six members of Survival Flight were true heroes, devoting themselves to helping make organ donation and transplantation a reality for people facing life-threatening conditions.    » read more »