Illinois Governor Blagojevich
Kudos to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for signing legislation that created a donor registry that allows a donor to make a binding decision to donate that cannot be reversed later by family members. Currently, we advise people to let their family members know that they have made a decision to donate, because in most states, family members can block the decision. This simple change insures that a person's wish to donate is not denied by their family. The governor's office estimates that this move will bring in another 100 organs per year. That's 100 extra lives saved every year, good job Governor. You've made a difference to them.
Why would a family block donation? I don't know, but unfortunately, it happens too often. In Illinois, family members over-ride the decision about 20% of the time.
This was page 3 news in the Effingham Daily News as we (meaning RAAM) passed through town.
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