Mar 23, 2008 1:03 pm US/Eastern
Foundation: Crucial Need For Organ Donation
FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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After a Frederick County college student fell to his death, his family decided to save the lives of others by donating his organs.
CBS
After a Frederick County college student fell to his death, his family decided to save the lives of others by donating his organs.
Jessica Kartalija explains why the need for organs is so crucial as we move toward trauma season.
Just weeks ago, 22-year-old Dustin Bauer fell from a first floor dormitory landing at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, leaving him with severe head injuries and his family with a difficult decision.
"Once we were told there was a zero percent chance of Dustin recovering, the first thing my brother did was ask about organ donation," said Kathleen Bauer.
With summer on the way, warm weather means the start of trauma season and an increased need for organ donations. The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland coordinates the donation and recovery of tissue and organs to be used for research and in transplants.
"Currently, there are over 98,000 people waiting nationally for an organ transplant. There are over 2,000 people in Maryland alone who are waiting and that's a huge number," said Jim Ford.
On average, 18 people in the U.S. die every day waiting for an organ.
Nineteen years ago, Tom Cook needed a new heart.
"Apparently the heart that I had at that time was no longer doing its job and I was going to die," he said. "I received an emergency transplant."
He says it's thanks to families like the Bauers that he is alive.
"It's not about the recipients. It's about the donor families, the thousands of families who have given gifts to save lives," Cook said.
If you are considering organ and tissue donation, you need to fill out a donor card.
April 1 marks the beginning of trauma season. It is also the beginning of Organ Donation Month.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click Here For More Information About The Living Legacy Foundation
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