wfn.org | 'Donor Sabbath' encourages church members to sign up

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 9, 1999  News media contact: Linda Bloom**(212) 870-3803**New York
10-71BP{451}

NOTE: A photograph is available for use with this story.  

By United Methodist News Service

As someone who has spent the last three years on dialysis while awaiting a
kidney transplant, Mark "Chip" Saunders is well aware of the need for organ
donors.

But he also has learned that some people believe their religion prohibits
organ donation. In most cases, however, the opposite is true.

So when Saunders heard about the "National Donor Sabbath" program through
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, he encouraged his
congregation - Lakeside United Methodist Church in Waldorf, Md. - to
participate.

National Donor Sabbath - celebrated annually the second weekend before
Thanksgiving - was started in 1996 by the Department of Transplantation at
Health and Human Services. The idea was to let clergy help dispel some of
the myths about donations, according to Toni Webb, director of community
affairs with the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium.

While some denominations have no official policy on organ donation, many of
them, ranging from the Assemblies of God to all four branches of Judaism to
the Presbyterian Church, encourage donation as an act of charity. The United
Methodist Church also officially encourages donation and urges pastoral care
persons "to explore these options as a normal part of conversation with
patients and families." 

In her letters to clergy about the National Donor Sabbath, Webb has stressed
the importance of donors discussing their wishes with family members who may
be making the final decision. "Family communication is the crucial link in
solving the shortage of donor organs and tissues available for
transplantation," she wrote.

Saunders is one of more than 65,000 people in the United States awaiting
donated organs for transplant. His first kidney transplant occurred in 1989,
but the organ was not in prime condition. "The doctors didn't expect the
kidney to last three months, but I was able to get a good seven and a half
years out of it," he said. "I credit much of that to my wife Joyce, who is a
nurse and as such has a very clear understanding of the anti-rejection drugs
and the side effects."

He currently is registered in three different organ procurement districts
and has had five "false alarm" calls for possible matches. Up to 12 people
needing new organs die each day because the supply is so short, he said.

Saunders, who works for the U.S. Postal Service's Media Relations Group,
assisted with promoting the organ and tissue donor stamp in August 1998.
Through that work, he learned about the National Donor Sabbath and helped
his pastor, the Rev. Chris Wood, send letters to about 300 churches in
southern Maryland and to local media.

Wood, who leads Lakeside's 10-year-old suburban congregation, said he used
last year's observance of the donor Sabbath as a tie-in to the fall
stewardship campaign. "Part of the understanding of stewardship is quite
literally the giving of oneself," he added.

The Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, which paid postage for the
mailing, provided brochures, magnets and pens for the service. Donor cards
were provided in the bulletin. Wood introduced the topic of organ donation
in his sermon and Saunders stood and spoke.

While an estimated 90 percent of Americans favor donation, less than half
that sign donor cards share the decision with their families. "Even if you
carry a donor card, hospitals are required to obtain consent from
next-of-kin before donation can occur," he explained to the congregation.
"So it's important that you tell your family, clergy, friends and co-workers
your desires should the unthinkable happen."

 For Lakeside members, the Sabbath "was kind of an eye-opener." Many did not
know the United Methodist position on organ donation. "There were people who
probably hadn't signed their donor cards because they were concerned about
the religious stance," the pastor added.

"The one message we hope to convey is to discuss donation with your family,
friends and congregation," Saunders said. "It's the last opportunity to
extend the ultimate gift to someone else. It also allows families to extend
their loved one's life through others."

Information on the National Donor Sabbath is available by calling Mary
Ganikos, Department of Health and Human Services, at (301) 443-7577 or by
visiting the following Web site: www.organdonor.gov.  Churches also can
contact their local or regional organ procurement organizations. 
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United Methodist News Service
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(615)742-5472