Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 3, 1994 TAG: 9401030063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Victims of gunshots and stabbings have become the nation's third-largest source of donated organs, according to the Richmond-based agency. The largest donor group is people who die of ruptured blood vessels in their brains, followed by victims of car accidents.
"It's an unfortunate fact," said Joel Newman of UNOS, which tracks donors and recipients. "Gunshot and stabbing victims are one of the more common sources for organ donation. It's certainly tragic, but that person has the ability to help many other people . . . in many cases, to save a life."
In 1991, the last year for which Newman had complete statistics, 799 people across the United States became donors after being shot or stabbed. That was about 18 percent of the 4,532 donors, Newman said, up from 15 percent in 1988.
"Theoretically, each donor could produce two kidneys, two lungs, a heart, liver, pancreas and intestines," he said. "If all of the organs and tissues are used, one person can help 25 people - or even more."
Newman said the statistics also include people who commit suicide using guns or knives, but he believes a substantial portion of the total was composed of homicide victims.
In eastern Virginia, nearly 30 percent of the organ donors in 1993 were victims of gunshot wounds, said Doug Wilson, spokesman for LifeNet Transplant Services.
Obtaining donations from homicide victims involves crucial timing and discussions with grieving relatives.
"It's a very difficult decision to make," Newman said. "Not only are they dealing with a sudden and traumatic loss, they also have to deal with the decision to donate their loved one's organs."
"Even though every major religion has endorsed organ donations, there are still some [who decline] for religious reasons," he said.
by CNB