Conversation key to organ donation

WASHINGTON, Nov 3, 2005 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Results of a national survey released Thursday suggest family discussion about organ donation is an important step toward becoming an organ donor.

With the U.S. black community facing an ever-growing need for organ donations, the survey found more than 8-of-10 African-Americans are unaware of the importance of speaking to loved ones about their wish to become a donor.

Ninety-two percent of those surveyed said they would be likely to donate a family member's organs if that person had expressed the desire to be a donor.

That's why The Links, Incorporated, a nationwide organization of professional African-American women, and the pharmaceutical company Roche Inc., will distribute thousands of "conversation starter guides" at organ donor awareness church events nationwide on National Donor Sabbath, Nov. 13. The group also will launch a nationwide public service announcement campaign.

The telephone survey was conducted by Braun Research Inc. in June among a national sample of 300 blacks 18 years and older, living in private households across the United States.

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