Clark issues a renewed call for organ donation on clarkhoward.com

Two recent tragedies -- the killing of 4 police officers in Oakland, Calif., and the sudden death of actress Natasha Richardson following a minor skiing accident -- have brought about a renewed call for organ donation from Clark.

In the case of the police officers, one officer named John Hege was an organ donor. Now his heart, kidneys and liver are giving the gift of life to four individuals that Hege never knew in life.

Think about the tragic irony of 4 people being shot to death and 4 others having another chance at life simply because of organ donation.

Meanwhile, Richardson had a freak accident on a beginner's bunny slope while skiing. Unfortunately, she was not wearing a helmet. The actress died of a brain injury shortly afterward. Once again, her family made a medical donation of her organs.

Clark understands that some people have religious objections to organ donation...but for everyone else, if you are interested in donating, you can visit OrganDonor.gov to learn how it works. Once you've decided to make the commitment, be sure to tell your family and loved ones so that they know your wishes.

It's a chance to provide life for someone from beyond the grave.

What others are saying

Organ Donation is a Poor Use of Healthcare
What a buzz kill to read comments such as the one posted by "Misuse of Medical Dollars." I made this difficult decision for my 8-year-old daughter who died tragically in an auto accident several years ago. She was in intensive care and we knew she would not live & thought what better gift to give than to give another life? If it saved one parent from experiencing the pain that we felt, it would be worth it. Knowing another mother and father would have a different outcome for their child was what helped us through that difficult situation. If there had been anything that would have saved our daughter, even an organ transplant, we would not be the sad parents that we are today. While a large number of organs are transplanted in persons who are sickened by their own vices, this is not the case for everyone. Coincidentally, my father now is in need of an organ transplant for a disease that is of unknown cause. He has never smoked, does not drink, has ALWAYS been an avid exerciser & "Health nut" and has never been one pound above his ideal weight. He does not rely on government paid tax dollars to supply his healthcare and will pay for his own medications after his surgery as well. What about the people like him?... or YOUR father? I think if you had a family member in need of a transplant you may think differently. To deny one would deny all.
By Organ Donor @ 06/20/09 05:08:00 PMreport abuse
Organ donation is a poor use of healthcare
The media likes to show us the many interesting stories of deserving people getting organ transplants. But if Americans knew the cost of organ transplantation and more about how the recipients came to the point of needing a transplant, they may feel differently. I am in healthcare and the lionshare of transplanted organs go to people sickened by their own vices and self abuse. A heart transplant costs upwards of $500,000 just for the procedure and care until discharge. Most of these are on some form of government paid (our tax dollars) health insurance. Just think of the preventative care that could be proved to a greater benefit to everybody for much less than that. Clark-rethink the issue rather than focusing on the nice media stories
By Misuse of medical dollars @ 04/01/09 06:05:19 AMreport abuse
Part me out!
Since I am the type that never throws away something without saving the parts that may be useful to repair something else I own, it would be a tribute to my life to do the same for me when I no longer need my organs. Let the parts that want to keep living... live on and help someone, and bury the rest :)
By John @ 03/31/09 01:10:12 PMreport abuse
Yes! Please give!
I think Clark pretty much said it all!
By Medical Student @ 03/31/09 12:38:45 PMreport abuse

Organ Donation is a Poor Use of Healthcare

What a buzz kill to read comments such as the one posted by "Misuse of Medical Dollars." I made this difficult decision for my 8-year-old daughter who died tragically in an auto accident several years ago. She was in intensive care and we knew she would not live & thought what better gift to give than to give another life? If it saved one parent from experiencing the pain that we felt, it would be worth it. Knowing another mother and father would have a different outcome for their child was what helped us through that difficult situation. If there had been anything that would have saved our daughter, even an organ transplant, we would not be the sad parents that we are today. While a large number of organs are transplanted in persons who are sickened by their own vices, this is not the case for everyone. Coincidentally, my father now is in need of an organ transplant for a disease that is of unknown cause. He has never smoked, does not drink, has ALWAYS been an avid exerciser & "Health nut" and has never been one pound above his ideal weight. He does not rely on government paid tax dollars to supply his healthcare and will pay for his own medications after his surgery as well. What about the people like him?... or YOUR father? I think if you had a family member in need of a transplant you may think differently. To deny one would deny all.

By Organ Donor @ 06/20/09 05:08:00 PMreport abuse

Organ donation is a poor use of healthcare

The media likes to show us the many interesting stories of deserving people getting organ transplants. But if Americans knew the cost of organ transplantation and more about how the recipients came to the point of needing a transplant, they may feel differently. I am in healthcare and the lionshare of transplanted organs go to people sickened by their own vices and self abuse. A heart transplant costs upwards of $500,000 just for the procedure and care until discharge. Most of these are on some form of government paid (our tax dollars) health insurance. Just think of the preventative care that could be proved to a greater benefit to everybody for much less than that. Clark-rethink the issue rather than focusing on the nice media stories

By Misuse of medical dollars @ 04/01/09 06:05:19 AMreport abuse

Part me out!

Since I am the type that never throws away something without saving the parts that may be useful to repair something else I own, it would be a tribute to my life to do the same for me when I no longer need my organs. Let the parts that want to keep living... live on and help someone, and bury the rest :)

By John @ 03/31/09 01:10:12 PMreport abuse

Yes! Please give!

I think Clark pretty much said it all!

By Medical Student @ 03/31/09 12:38:45 PMreport abuse

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Mar 30, 2009 -- Clark issues a renewed call for organ donation

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