While majority of Americans express interest in organ and tissue donation, fe...( RICHMOND Va. (April 13 2009) While...),Health

RICHMOND, Va. (April 13, 2009) While the number of Americans registered as organ and tissue donors is rising, the registry still only includes 38 percent of licensed drivers, according to a report card issued by Donate Life America this year. Yet, according to a new survey of Americans, 72 percent of people want their decision to donate honored, even if their family disagrees.

"The number of people awaiting organ transplants has climbed to more than 100,000 and an average of 18 people die each day waiting for available organs," said Donate Life America Chair Sara Pace Jones. "It is more important than ever for those who support donation to legally document those wishes and registering through the DMV or state donor registries are the most important ways to do that. Anyone can find out how to register in their state by visiting www.donatelife.net or www.facebook.com/donatelife."

The online survey of 5,100 U.S. adults supported by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. uncovered some misperceptions and confusion about organ donation and registration. Among them:

• Nearly a quarter (23 percent) of people who say they are undecided, reluctant or do not wish to donate are not sure they would be an acceptable donor. Yet, in reality, age or health conditions do not prevent people from being potential donors as donation screening only occurs before organs and tissue are recovered for transplant.

• Only half (50 percent) of respondents correctly believe that doctors will try as hard to save their life even if they know their wish to be an organ donor

• Just under half (44 percent) mistakenly think that in the U.S. there is a black market in which people can buy or sell organs or tissue.

• Only 43 percent of respondents understand that it is impossible for a brain dead person to recover from his or her injurie
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