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This story aired on "ABC World News Saturday" on December 9, 2006. Here is an unofficial transcript: BILL WEIR (ABC NEWS ANCHOR) - (Off-camera) We have a story tonight about a novel approach to dealing with one of the thorniest issues in medicine. With almost 100,000 Americans on waiting lists for organ transplants, doctors and ethicists have long grappled over the fairest way to decide who gets to go to the front of the line. Well now, as ABC's Laura Marquez reports, one man has a controversial idea that is catching on. LAURA MARQUEZ (ABC NEWS REPORTER) - (Voiceover) Dave Undis is single-handedly trying to change the way organs are given out in this country. Instead of going to the sickest patient in line, he believes organs should go first to the people who have signed up as organ donors themselves. DAVE UNDIS (LIFESHARERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) - Why would you want to give an organ to someone who's not willing to share their own? LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) Undis created LifeSharers, an organ circle, as he calls it. Anyone can join, and it's free. But you must agree, when you die, to give your organs first to another LifeSharers member. If no member needs them, then they would go to the national organ donor waiting list. MICHAEL NEELY (LIFESHARERS MEMBER) - I've always been somebody that wants to bead the odds. LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) Michael Neely is hoping LifeSharers will save his life. He was diagnosed with hepatitis two years ago, and needs a new liver. MICHAEL NEELY - The cards were dealt to me this way, I didn't ask for it. But you know, I have to deal with, you know, the hand that I have. LAURA MARQUEZ - Michael Neely is just one of 92,000 people on the national organ donor waiting list. And each day, 17 of them will die while waiting. Neely hopes his participation in LifeSharers will improve his odds. LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) But critics question LifeSharers' members only policy. DOCTOR MICHAEL PORAYKO (MEDICAL DIRECTOR, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY) - I don't think this is gonna help us force people to sign donor cards. I - we have never seen a positive thing from trying to force the issue. LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) Undis believes his members list will actually get more people to sign their donor cards, and help solve the chronic shortage of available organs. DAVE UNDIS - If you can get an organ without agreeing to donate your own, a lot of people will take advantage of that. And these free riders are the big problem that are causing people to die. LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) So far, just 6,500 people have signed up for LifeSharers, not enough to guarantee patients such as Michael Neely will get an organ. But that list is growing. In just the last year, membership has almost doubled, and that gives Neely hope. MICHAEL NEELY - By joining LifeSharers, I opened another door for finding myself a potential donor, but I also am able to donate. LAURA MARQUEZ - (Voiceover) Neely believes it really is as important to give as to receive. He hopes he'll have the chance to do both. Laura Marquez, ABC News, Nashville. |
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