More than 400 Patients Receive 'Second Chance at Life' Via Organ Donation
Eight out of 10 Central and South Texas families say 'yes' to donation
Eight out of 10 Central and South Texas families say 'yes' to donation
SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (TOSA), the organ procurement organization that provides organ donation and recovery services for families in Central and South Texas, supported 133 noble individuals and their families in offering 419 patients a second chance at life in 2015.
Data from last year shows that 35 percent of these donors made the decision to save lives by signing up with Donate Life Texas, the official registry for organ, eye and tissue donors in Texas. Over the past several years, TOSA has seen an increase in registered donors, easing the burden on families from having to make a difficult decision at a time of grief.
"The continuing increase of registered donors demonstrates the foresight so many individuals in our community possess, which is to help others in need," said TOSA CEO Patrick Giordano.
Additionally, nearly 80 percent of families approached by TOSA consented to donation.
Headquartered in San Antonio, TOSA in 2015 celebrated 40 years of facilitating organ donation services for families and thoughtful individuals like Justin Bateman of San Antonio.
"The TOSA staff member was so pleasant and respectful," said his mother Janice Huey. "She shared the opportunity that Justin could help people. We all just looked at each other and said this is a no-brainer, this is something Justin would want to do. He always dropped everything just to help someone."
Texans are encouraged to register at Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or online at DonateLifeTexas.org. For information on organ donation and community initiatives, contact TOSA at 866-685-0277 or visit txorgansharing.org.
Texas Organ Sharing Alliance is one of 58 federally designated Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the United States. Founded in 1975 as a not-for-profit corporation, TOSA covers 56 counties in Central and South Texas. TOSA is committed to providing organ donation and recovery services to families wishing to donate, and to those waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.
Clarissa Thompson - TOSA
(O) 210-614-7030, (C) 210.264.8124
@TxOrganSharing, Facebook.com/TxOrganSharing
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SOURCE Texas Organ Sharing Alliance
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