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. 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. One problem, finds a new online survey, is misperceptions and confusion about organ donation, finds a survey from Donate Life, a non-for-profit alliance of national organizations and state agency representatives across the United States.

 

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, says the survey, which is supported by Astellas Pharma U.S. 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.

 

The survey also found that just under half (44 percent) mistakenly think that in the United States, there is a black market in which people can buy or sell organs or tissue. And the survey found only 43 percent of respondents understand that it is impossible for a brain dead person to recover from his or her injuries.

 

“There is a real crisis taking place with regards to organ availability in this country,” says Donate Life America Chair Sara Pace Jones, “and dispelling commonly held misperceptions and increasing the public's trust of the donation and transplant system is paramount when it comes to solving it."