READY TO DONATE

Half of American adults are registered as organ donors. In addition, nearly a quarter say they have not registered, but would consider it, while 20 percent say they would never do that. That's the word from The Harris Poll, which surveyed 2,212 U.S. adults nationwide. Interesting facts about organ donation:
More than 120,000 people are currently on the waiting list to receive a lifesaving organ transplant.
Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives.
A new name joins the organ donation waiting list every 10 minutes, and 22 people die each day while waiting for an organ that never comes. The gap between supply and demand continues to grow as donation rates stagnate.

Why do people become registered organ donors?
69 percent: It's comforting to know their organs will serve a purpose after they die.
60 percent: Want to help someone in need.
15 percent: Know someone who has benefited from receiving a donation.
7 percent: Know someone on the waiting list.

Twenty-one percent of U.S. adults say they will never register as an organ donor. Why?
26 percent: Not in good enough health.
26 percent: Discomfort with their organs being used after death.
23 percent: Desire to avoid thinking about what happens when they die.
10 percent: Concerns their family could not afford the additional medical costs associated with organ donation.
9 percent: Perception that their family members already know they want to be an organ donor upon death so they don't need to officially register.