DONATE LIFE ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS-MADISON, WISCONSIN

Governor honors families of organ donors

Source: WKOW, Madison, Wisconsin

MADISON (WKOW) -- Families of organ donors gathered at the Governor's mansion for the 17th annual Gift of Life Ceremony.

Governor Jim Doyle gave each family a medal to commemorate their loved ones' donation.

"Probably the most selfless act of humanity in a time of grief is to donate life," said Drew Stapleton, a recent organ recipient.

Wisconsin has one of the highest rates of organ donation in the country, says Dr. Tony D'Alessandro, chairman of UW Hospital's Division of Transplantation.

Last year, there were 205 organ donors in Wisconsin, and more than 340 people in the state received an organ transplant.

Governor Doyle says about 75 percent of the age-eligible people in the state have registered as potential donors.

"Our ongoing efforts to improve organ donation rates in Wisconsin are having a dramatic life-saving effect," he said.

The Governor attributes part of the high rate to a new web-based donor registry. The registry allows Wisconsin citizens over the age of 15 1/2 with a state ID or driver's license to authorize organ donation.

The registry was announced in March and can be found at http://www.yesiwillwisconsin.com.