SCUTARI SPREADS THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN DONATION

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, to require organ donation information to be put in public colleges and universities as a way to increase the number of donors in the State, was approved by the Senate Education Committee today.

"Dissemination of accurate information as well as the need for organ donation can lead to a greater number of donors," said Senator Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset, and Union. "Every day, an average of 17 people who are waiting for organs in the United States die because no organs can be found for them. This means 6,000 people a year die waiting for organ transplants."

The bill, S-91, would require State colleges and universities to put the information about organ donation in an accessible location and make students and staff aware of its availability.

According to Senator Scutari, "Approximately 95,000 men, women and children are waiting for organs for transplantation in the United States and thousands more need tissue donation for transplantation, such as corneas, heart-valves, skin and bone."

"By prominently displaying this information where literally thousands of eyes will see it, we can significantly increase the chance of matching up organ donors with recipients," said Senator Scutari. "This is definitely an instance where greater awareness can save someone's life."

The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration.