In 2006 a board of National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) introduced a revision to the Uniformed Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). "The Revised UAGA facilitates donations and modernizes the Act to reflect changes in federal law and regulations governing organ procurement and allocation as well as changes in organ donation practices. Lastly, the Act brings needed uniformity where minutes are too precious to permit wasting time deciphering divergence in state laws."--according to the NCCUSL website
Simply put, the NCCUSL wants to make the regulations of organ and tissue donation universal from state to state. This will potentially make the process easier and more uniform for the registries and procurement processes.
There are more than 25 states which currently have the (UAGA) enacted. (These states are noted in Blue--the states noted are in Red are in the process of passing the bill). Of those states who have approved is Iowa and Wisconsin.
In my research I came across some AMAZING numbers from Wisconsin! Last Friday, August 1st Governor Jim Doyle proclaimed that 45,000 citizens of WI joined the orange "donor dot" program in the last since months.
Basically what the "donor dot" program is, when you decide to become an organ donor and register the DMV will send you an orange dot to place on your drivers license.
A local TV station, WKOW, out of Madison did a story this weekend about Governor Doyle and the orange "donor dot" program. Click here for full story! Below I've posted a couple clips from the story:
"Wisconsin's leadership in organ donation continues to ensure a better life for hundreds of families across the state," Governor Doyle said. "I want to thank the thousands of Wisconsin citizens who have talked to their loved ones and made an organ donation pledge. As the need for organ donations rises, we must continue to raise awareness for this critical cause, and express our profound gratitude to the families who support their loved one's wish to give the gift of life."
In 2007, there were 225 organ donors in Wisconsin, resulting in almost 600 transplants. Today, Governor Doyle recognized these donors and presented a Governor's Gift of Life Medal to each family whose departed loved ones donated their organs last year. The need for organ donation is growing, and 1,436 patients in Wisconsin are currently on waiting lists for organs, including 28 children. Nearly 60 percent of these patients have been waiting more than one year.
Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in many areas of organ donation. In addition to the 45,000 new orange "donor dot" participants, over 50 percent of Wisconsin residents have expressed their intent to donate.
Governor Doyle urged the importance of organ and tissue donation and commended the work of the Wisconsin Donor Network and the OPOs of WI for their hard work and being recognized as a leader in the nationU.S. Department of Health and Human Service Organ Transplantation Breakthrough Collaborative for excellence in all performance areas.
Way to go Wisconsin!!! Keep up the great work. You are definitely making a huge difference in the lives of many Wisconsin residents, and even those in surrounding states!