Many friends and acquaintances have asked Allen Clauson of Niwot, “If you had to make the decision a second time, would you do it again?”  They are referring to his heart transplant that took place in 1987 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  

 At that time, his son was nine years old. Allen explained, “It is really a question of if you want to live or not.  Not everyone gets to choose, and I had the opportunity to choose.  I had a lot to live for.”
 Fourteen years later, he is faced with the same question.  This time he is in need of a kidney transplant.  He is currently on the organ donation waiting list at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver.   “Many conditions must be met for a living donor to give an organ,”  explains Allen.  “And chances are six times better for success from a living donor.”  

If a family member is not available, this does not preclude finding a living donor.  Someone he knows or becomes acquainted with could give an organ.  There are large numbers of people on the organ donation waiting list.  

Of all the people who have indicated they will give an organ, approximately one in ten of those organs would be acceptable for use.  For individuals who have offered their organs at time of death, it is possible that these organs could be gifted and would benefit or save the lives of several people.

There are more than 260 transplant centers in the United States.  When a patient has been evaluated by the medical team of one of these transplant centers, and accepted as a transplant candidate, the patient is registered on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) waiting list.  An Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) serves as the vital link between the donor and recipient and is responsible for retrieval, preservation and transportation of organs.  There are 59 OPO’s around the country.

Each year, more and more individuals and organizations are becoming involved in promoting awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation.  “Organ donation is a positive, extremely important gift!  It is the gift of life.”  Allen said excitedly.  

In the past, students from Colorado State University, during their donor registration activities, released balloons in honor of all individuals in Colorado and Wyoming who were waiting for organ donations.  
 Youth groups and civic organizations can help bring awareness to this cause.  Individuals who wish to share their organs at time of death can prepare the necessary documentation, and most importantly share their wishes with their family.  

With Allen now on the waiting list for a kidney donation, he faces the question the second time around.  The question of,  “If you had to do it over again, would you have a transplant?”  He knows there is always the possibility that his body will reject the organ.  He knows there will be a continuing medication program.  However, for him the same answer holds true the second time around.

“I have a lot to live for,” he said.  “My son is now an adult, I have a new family, a loving sweetheart, and grandchildren.  Yes, I will do it again!”  Allen continued, “Although my doctors are excellent, nothing would have happened without the Lord’s blessing.  Give God the Glory.”

On October 15, 2001, Colorado became one of seven states to honor the wishes of the donor in making organ donations.  Every time someone marks the organ donor section on a driver’s license renewal, his or her name is entered into a central registry which is available to doctors and hospitals.  The consent of the immediate family of the donor is no longer required or requested if a donor has made his or her wishes known.  

When time is critical and family members are unavailable or uncertain, health care providers can follow the wishes of donor by simply checking the Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor Registry directly.  To register, call 303-380-4802 or visit www.ColoradoDonorRegistry.org. 

For additional information regarding kidney, organ and tissue donation, log on to the website www.kidneysocal.org  and www.unos.org.  You can volunteer with your local Coalition on Donation, a regional network of organ procurement and transplant professionals dedicated to community programs that raise awareness by calling (804) 330-8620 or visit their website at www.shareyourlife.org .

Contact information for the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California is 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA 90045-7404 with phone number of (310) 641-8152.  United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) mailing address is 1100 Boulders Parkway, Suite 500, P O Box 13770, Richmond, VA 23225-8770.