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Delaware, First in the World for Organ Donation


11/13/2019

by Christina Crooks Bryan, Director, Communications and Policy for the Delaware Healthcare Association

Delaware is number one in the nation for organ donation. Not only that, the first state also tops the world’s list, according to a new report featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Much of Delaware’s success can be attributed to a partnership between the Gift of Life Donor Program and Delaware’s hospitals.
 
In the new report (authored by Alexandra Glazier, JD, MPH & Thomas Mone, MS), Delaware was ranked first in the world for its organ donation, with a rate of 83.6 donors per 10,000 deaths -- much higher than the overall U.S. rate of 38.1 donors per 10,000 deaths. Delaware and five other U.S. states had rates higher than Spain, notably a country with an opt-out donation policy. This is a tremendous achievement for Delaware. 
 
Delaware’s record in organ donation was not always so stellar. Back in 2012, the Delaware Healthcare Association joined the Gift of Life Donor Program in launching an organ donor campaign – a targeted effort to increase the number of registered donors in the state. At the time, only 46.23% of Delaware’s drivers licenses and identification had registered as donors, and the goal was to raise that number above 50%. 
 
As part of the campaign, Delaware hospitals educated employees and the community about the critical need for organ and tissue donation and encouraged organ donor registration. As of today, 56% of Delawareans are registered donors according to Donate Life America Annual Update. Over the years, the Gift of Life Donor Program has recognized many of Delaware’s health care systems for their dedication to organ donation in the first state, encouraging others to sign up as eye, organ and tissue donors and honoring those who have saved lives through their donations. 
 
The first state has come a long way in increasing its organ donors, but our job is not done. There are still more than 113,000 people in the U.S. awaiting a donation on the national transplant waiting list. 
 
If you have not yet signed up to be an organ donor, please sign up: (1) online at the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles website; (2) or simply check “yes” for organ and tissue donation when you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. Your donor designation will be indicated by a red heart on the front of your license or ID card. 
 
Let’s keep Delaware first in the world for organ donation!
 
 
 

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