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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 9, 2002 |
Contact: | HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343 |
The one-hour documentary film features the story of Brian Hinsley, a Los Angeles-area fireman who waited for a liver transplant for nearly two years. His life was saved when an anonymous donor gave him the gift of life: a new, healthy liver.
"Thousands of other Americans nationwide are still waiting for that precious lifesaving gift," Secretary Thompson said. "And, that is precisely the reason we produced this program: to show how one person can make a difference in many lives by deciding to become a donor. We need to fully recognize the value of the gift that is made by donors and their families, and we need to bring about more donation to save more lives."
With the liver transplant, Mr. Hinsley returned from near death to a productive, happy life as a fireman. He's back to work and saving the lives of others.
Medical advances have resulted in lifesaving transplant capabilities, but the number of donors has not kept pace. In fact, the need for organs to transplant is now three times the number of donations. While more than 5,000 families donate the organs and tissues of loved ones every year in the U.S., more than 80,000 people are on the current waiting list for organs.
Last year, Secretary Thompson launched the "Gift of Life Donation Initiative" to make Americans aware of the benefits of organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation with the intention of creating a "donation friendly America."
"Clearly, we must and we will continue to do all we can to call attention to this critical need," Secretary Thompson said. "It's not enough just to sign the organ and tissue donor card or note it on your driver's license; you must share the decision with your loved ones. If everyone did that, there wouldn't be any need for an organ donor waiting list."
Narrated by actress Angela Lansbury, "No Greater Love" was produced under a contract with HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration.
Information on how to become an organ and tissue donor is available at organdonor.gov.
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