Published March 18, 2004, in issue #0311 of the Hook

The generosity of live organ donors like Tarpley Gillespie is remarkable. Most Americans won't even agree to donate their organs after they die. They bury their organs instead of sharing the gift of life. As a result, over 6,000 of their neighbors die every year waiting for organ transplants.

The solution to the organ shortage is simple: If you don't agree to donate your organs when you die, then you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live.

A grassroots group of organ donors called LifeSharers is making this idea a reality, one member at a time.

LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors. Members agree to donate their organs when they die, but they give fellow members "first dibs" on their organs. This creates a pool of organs available first to members. The existence of this pool gives other people an incentive to sign donor cards and join the network, and this incentive grows stronger as the network expands.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers at lifesharers.com. Membership is free.

David J. Undis
Executive Director
LifeSharers
Nashville, Tennessee

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