4/27/2009

Jewish Hospital and KODA team-up to host organ donation registration drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
April 27, 2009    

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Leslie Dorris, Marketing Manager
(502) 569-0705 or (502) 445-2480
Leslie.Dorris@jhsmh.org

Jewish Hospital and KODA team-up to host organ donation registration drive

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 27, 2009) – Jewish Hospital and the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) are teaming up to host an organ donation registration drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 in the Jewish Hospital Chestnut Street lobby in honor of National Donate Life Month. According to KODA, there are nearly 100,000 Americans awaiting an organ donation, 740 in Kentucky, with a new name being added to the national waiting list every 14 minutes.

According to an online survey conducted in February by Astellas Pharma US and Donate Life America, 72 percent of Americans surveyed said they would like to donate their organs, however only 38 percent were actually registered to do so, a gap Jewish Hospital and KODA hope to fill here in Kentucky with the organ donation registration drive.

“The purpose of registering for organ donation is to make the decision now, so that if something happened, your wishes to donate life could be honored,” said Jewish Hospital President and CEO, Marty Bonick. He added, “One person’s pledge to donate life can directly help almost 50 people in need, but it can positively touch so many more. We all have the opportunity to leave a legacy with others.”

The organ donation registration drive is free and open to the public. KODA representatives will be available at the drive to answer questions and register individuals who want to become organ donors.

For frequently asked questions, facts or other information on organ donation, visit www.kyorgandonor.org. To register now, visit www.donatelifeky.org. A Facebook group also exists where individuals can register; search: Donate Life American and click-on the ‘Register’ tab.

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About Jewish Hospital
Jewish Hospital is an internationally renowned high-tech tertiary referral center developing leading-edge advancements in hand and microsurgery, heart and lung care, home care, rehab medicine (including sports medicine), orthopaedics, neuroscience, occupational health, organ transplantation and outpatient and primary care.  Site of the world’s first successful hand transplant, and the world’s first and second successful AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart procedures, the hospital is also federally designated to perform all five solid organ transplants – heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas.  In 2008, Jewish Hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best 50 Hospitals in the U.S. for Jewish Hospital is among the best in heart and heart surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; and respiratory disorders. 

About Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA)
Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates (KODA) is an independent, non-profit, certified organ and tissue procurement agency, whose mission is to provide organs and tissues for transplantation to those in need and to maintain a profound respect for those who gave.  KODA works with hospitals and transplant centers throughout Kentucky so that the “Gift of Life” may be extended to others.  KODA also strives to encourage Kentuckians to join the Kentucky Donor Registry, so that an individual’s wishes regarding donation can be carried out.  For more information, please log on www.kyorgandonor.org or www.donatelifeky.org