[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ORGAN DONATION

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 1997

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, between now and the end of June, the 
Treasury Department will be including information on organ donation 
with each tax refund check it mails.
  I was proud to support the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act last year which directed the Treasury Department to 
provide this information with tax refund checks.
  This information educates Americans about organ donation and makes it 
easier for people to become organ donors. It has the potential to save 
thousands of lives--and at minimal cost to the Federal Government. Once 
someone has learned about organ donation, all he or she needs to do is 
fill out the card and discuss the decision with his or her family.
  Currently, over 50,000 Americans are awaiting organ transplants. 
Eight people die every day because an organ is not available. Hundreds 
of thousands of others could also benefit from tissue transplants and 
many Americans are not aware how they can become organ donors. By 
learning about the opportunities, individuals can, in the unfortunate 
event of a fatal accident, have their organs used to save someone's 
life.
  Sometimes, we can save a life while we are still alive. For example, 
I have made a decision to be a bone marrow donor. When I learned that a 
friend of my daughter, Meredith, had a potentially fatal bone marrow 
disease, I had my own bone marrow tested. While there was not a match, 
I am keeping my bone marrow type on file should another person with a 
life-threatening illness requiring a transplant have a similar bone 
marrow type to my own. To save that person's life, all that would be 
required of me would be to have a small amount of my own bone marrow 
taken for transplant.
  I encourage others to become donors, whether of organs, bone marrow, 
or even blood. Although easy to make, this is an important decision, 
and I encourage people considering it to do as I have done and sit down 
with their families and discuss their decision. This way, a person's 
family becomes aware of a donor's intentions.
  I hope that by including information on organ donation with tax 
returns, we will remind people of the life-saving possibilities of 
becoming an organ donor. To become a donor is as simple as filling out 
a card. But, as simple as that is, the implications are tremendous. You 
could give someone with a life-threatening illness a new lease on life.
  The inclusion of these cards with tax refunds should serve to remind 
us all of the importance of organ donation. It only takes a small 
effort to make a great contribution.

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