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Date: Monday, Dec. 2, 1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Charlotte Mehuron, HRSA(301) 443-3376

HHS Secretary Applauds NASA's Astronauts for Giant Step for Americans Needing Organ Transplants

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala today applauded two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts for signing organ donor cards during the Columbia space mission to promote the urgent need for organ and tissue d onation.

Astronauts Tamara Jernigan from Chattanooga, Tenn., and Tom Jones from Baltimore, Md., crew members on the space shuttle Columbia, signed organ donor cards this morning while orbiting the earth. The 16-day mission was launched on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

"When NASA's astronauts push the limits of space, they make all Americans proud," Secretary Shalala said. "By signing donor cards, they encourage us to recognize the importance of organ donations. In the hearts and minds of their fellow human beings who so desperately need a life-saving transplant, they've once again taken a giant step for mankind."

"I'm proud NASA was able to feature this life-saving program," said NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. "When Tammy and Tom signed their donor cards more than a hundred miles above the earth, it highlighted the critical need for organ do nor donations, and made it clear that the work we do in space benefits life on earth."

According to HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the national organ transplantation program, approximately 50,000 Americans are on a national waiting list to receive organs, and 3,000 will die each year because suitable orga ns are not available.

"Becoming an organ and tissue donor here on earth is a simple process," said HRSA Administrator Ciro Sumaya, M.D., M.P.H.T.M.

People can designate their wish to donate an organ on a driver's license and/or by signing an organ donor card. They also should discuss their wish to donate with family members. If they are unaware of their loved one's wishes, families may be reluctant to give consent when asked.

The donor card signing in space is a collaborative effort of NASA, HHS and TransLife, a local organ procurement organization (OPO) in Orlando, Fla. As part of the effort, OPOs are distributing donor cards and information at NASA visitor centers.

For more information on organ and tissue donation, or to obtain a donor card, call 1-800-355-SHARE. This toll free line is maintained by the public/private sector organization Coalition on Donation, of which HRSA is a member.