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Organ Donations: Olympic Size Gifts
Boca Raton, FL, April 11, 2002 In the United States alone, there are almost 100,000 patients currently waiting for an organ transplant. Even with donations at an all time high, experts agree that there is still a severe storage of organs. Startling statistics sadly illustrate this critical shortage. Each day 63 people receive the organ they need while another 16 people die, simply because not enough organs are available
Recognizing that donor cards alone are not enough and that the need for organs continues to grow faster than the supply of available organs, Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy G. Thompson, launched an initiative last year to encourage Americans to "Donate the Gift of Life". The goal of this program is to raise awareness and educate the public on the need for organs and the need to share their decision to donate with loved ones.
Informing family members of the decision to donate your organs can mean the difference between life and death for at least one person on this list of 10,000. Studies on patterns of organ donations found that families who knew their loved one wished to be a donor were seven times more likely to donate their organs
In an episode of The Cutting Edge Medical Report entitled "Organ Donations: Olympic Size Gifts", Nancy Ascher, M.D., a transplant expert from the University of California, San Francisco, takes a look at the donation / transplant cycle, discusses the importance of making your personal decision to donate and reviews the newest developments in surgical techniques and immunosuppressant therapy.
Produced by Information Television Network and made possible by Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. "Organ Donations: Olympic Size Gifts" will air on The Health Network, part of the networks of Discovery Communications, Inc. on Monday, April 15, 2002, 10 p.m. ET & PT.
About Information Television Network
Information Television Network (ITV), a full service television and entertainment production company, specializes in producing original programming. ITV is recognized as a leader in broadcast production and continues its tradition of strong partnerships with major corporations and government agencies. Founded in 1992 with a commitment to produce dynamic programming for entertainment and education, ITVŐs distribution includes Public Television, the Discovery Health Channel and The Health Network. ITV has produced more than 200 half-hours of medical documentary programming and has consistently been recognized for its excellence with prestigious industry awards including an Emmy, Freddies, Tellys, Auroras, Omnis and Gracies.
For more information about ITV or The Cutting Edge Medical Report, please visit the corporate web site at www.itvisus.com . To order a VHS copy of the program, call 1-888-380-6500.
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