New Spanish language brochure promoting organ and tissue donation among Hispanics unveiled at Rahway MVC office

Helping to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month, New Jersey Assemblyman and Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas and New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (NJ Sharing Network) President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Roth today unveiled a new Spanish language brochure which promotes organ and tissue donation among members of New Jersey 's Spanish speaking community.

Legislation co-sponsored by Assemblyman Vas, has given NJ Sharing Network 24/7 access to the MVC organ and tissue donor database. This partnership is part of a campaign to increase the number of registered donors in New Jersey to 2.1 million by April 2008. Currently there are more than 1.4 million New Jerseyans who have placed the organ donor designation on their driver's license.

"A vibrant community like ours, with an amazing love for life, should be one of the primary supporters of donation,” said Assemblyman Vas. “We need to get informed about organ and tissue donation, let go of our fears, and designate a donation decision. Each person that makes a decision could save or enhance the lives of over 50 people. That makes a huge difference. September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month and this is the right time to get this message out. ”

According to Joseph Roth of NJ Sharing Network, today, more than 4,200 New Jerseyans are waiting for organ transplants. "The sooner that all New Jerseyans indicate their decision to become an organ donor on their driver's license, the sooner more more lives will be saved."

"This is why New Jerseyans need to register as organ donors with the MVC when they get their driver's license," Roth stated. " The MVC donor registry is the central location for donor decisions that is confidential and immediately accessible at the time of a patients' death by transplant coordinators, who work with family members and the hospital to facilitate the donation."

While nearly 4,000 Hispanics received the gift of life through organ and tissue donation in 2006, strongly held myths regarding donation continue to be the major barrier preventing many Hispanics from becoming organ and tissue donors. This brochure addresses many of these myths and provides clear and understandable answers to frequently asked questions about organ donation.

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