The Evolution of Organ and Tissue Donation

Steve Adubato goes on-location to the NJ Sharing Network's 30th Anniversary Gala to speak with Elisse Glennon, VP and Chief Administrative Officer at the NJ Sharing Network, about how organ and tissue donation has changed over the past thirty years.

2/1/18 #2108

Excerpt:

"Steve Adubato here at the Liberty Science Center. This is an extraordinary night. It is the annual gala of the New Jersey Sharing Network, celebrating 30 years. Elisse Glennon, who everyone knows, her chyron will be up, and she is a partner of ours in public broadcasting, and you've been a leader in this organization. But 2016 was an extraordinary year in terms of saving lives. Talk about it. Yes. Last year, we saved more lives than we ever had before. And this year we're continuing on that same track and it's, you know, because of so many things, because of all the people here, because of the programming that you do, and because of the strong and continued support of the entire community. Let's talk about this 30th anniversary. I mean, one of the things that we try to do in public broadcasting and FiOS and all of our partners, with all of our partners, is to be involved in, quote unquote, "public education awareness". But Elisse, make it clear what that really means. Because people think they know about organ and tissue donation, but what do they really need to understand? I think people need to understand that donating your organs and becoming an organ donor is a really special, altruistic gift. And there are currently 120,000 people waiting for a life saving transplant nationally. 4,000 of them live here in New Jersey. And it's so easy to save a life. You can register to be an organ donor at the Motor Vehicle, or on your iPhone, or at our website, it's a quick and easy thing. And then the hard part is talking to your family about it. Really… What do you mean? Really letting your family know what your wishes are. Let them know now so that should the time come that you pass, and there needs to be a decision made, that your family feels comfortable, and knows and understands your decision and your desire to save a life. Elisse is making a great point, because one of the parents we're gonna speak to tonight, a survivor, if you will, of a young man who lost his life, but who gave... I believe he helped 70 people if I'm not mistaken, but the point I'm making is this young man made it clear as to what his wishes were, and checked off the box, if you will, on his license? Yeah. You know, when your loved one dies in an unexpected way, there's so much going on in your mind. So many decisions to make, end-of-life decisions. And when you know this decision about your loved..."