SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In light of recent articles published by The New York Times and other media outlets, Donate Life California is reaffirming its commitment to serve the people of California with clear, accurate information about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
“Donation is a deeply personal decision,” said Jim Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Donate Life California. “Our role is to ensure every individual has access to the facts they need to make that decision with confidence and trust.”
Since the publication of the July 20 article by The New York Times, Donate Life California has experienced a significant increase in public inquiries and concerns. In just a few days, more than 2,500 individuals across California have removed themselves from the state’s organ donor registry—a sobering reminder of how misinformation can influence decisions with life-or-death consequences.
“The stories as reported do not reflect the work Californians organ procurement organizations do each day to honor donors and save lives,” Martin continued. “Key facts about donation procedures and safeguards were omitted, leading to public confusion and fear.”
Currently, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Nearly 20,000 of them reside in California. Every person who unregisters as a donor represents a missed opportunity to save or heal lives.
The articles in question highlight donation after circulatory death (DCD), a carefully regulated medical practice rooted in ethical standards and clinical rigor. DCD allows more families to carry out their loved ones’ wishes and increases the chances of saving lives. Like all forms of donation, it is based on the foundation of informed authorization and governed by strict protocols.
“We support transparency and accountability in all aspects of our work, including in response to media coverage,” said Martin. “We welcome open dialogue and are here to answer questions about how donation works and how it saves lives.”
Donate Life California encourages members of the public with questions or concerns to visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or contact the organization directly at info@donatelifecalifornia.org. For those seeking more information about DCD or the donation process in their region, a list of local Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) is available at: https://donatelifecalifornia.org/about-us/local-donation-resources.
“Organ donation is one of the most meaningful gifts a person can give,” said Martin. “As we navigate these conversations, we do so with a deep sense of responsibility to educate, advocate, and uplift the truth—because lives depend on it.”
Media Contact:
Jim Martin
CEO
Donate Life California
jim.martin@donatelifecalifornia.org
916-678-6044
SACRAMENTO, Calif., October 22, 2020 – Francis “Frank” Cox, a devoted family man who dedicated his life to community service, was selected by Donate Life California as the 2021 Donate Life Rose Parade® Experience floragraph honoree. On October 29th, 2020, Frank’s family will put the finishing touches on a floral portrait of his likeness, known as a floragraph, during a special unveiling ceremony with Donate Life California at the Sacramento headquarters of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 10:00 am. While the 2021 Rose Parade® was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Frank will be featured during the Tournament of Roses’ Entertainment Special, airing nationally the morning of January 1st, 2021.
Frank, a Navy veteran, enjoyed camping, spending time in his motorhome, and tailgating at the ski resorts every weekend as his family enjoyed the snow. He was also happy to barbeque just about anything at his family’s frequent pool parties. His love of family was very apparent and his passion for over 20 years was volunteering at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. Frank was the 29th person to join the El Kalah Shrine Clown Unit where he was lovingly known as “Potsy,” and performed for the children and their families. Frank became a tissue and cornea donor in the winter of 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“My father was a devoted family man who instilled in us the value of community service and helping out those in need,” said Delia Bolinder, Frank’s daughter and a DMV employee. “When he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, he was worried that he would no longer be eligible to be a donor. Thankfully, he was still able to give the gift of sight and tissue to several recipients in need. I know my father would be so honored to be featured in the Donate Life Rose Parade Experience this year.”
The DMV and Donate Life California became state-authorized partners in 2006. Since then, more than 16.5 million Californians have signed up to save lives by registering as organ, eye and tissue donors – 95 percent of whom checked “YES!” at the DMV.
“Frank Cox’s decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor illustrates the importance of the partnership between DMV and Donate Life California,” said DMV Chief Deputy Director Kathleen Webb. “We are thankful that Donate Life California continues to honor DMV families during the annual Rose Parade celebrations.”
The Donate Life Rose Parade® Experience will be featured in the Tournament of Roses’ Entertainment Special. This nationally televised celebration is the Tournament’s new campaign that allows sponsors to create and display floral installations. The Donate Life Rose Parade® floral installation will feature over 20 sculptures made of roses and incorporating donor hero floragraphs. Additionally, it will be accompanied by various elements honoring Donation Healthcare Heroes amid a field of dedicated roses.
“While the Rose Parade® celebrations will look different this year, we are gratified and excited that Donate Life is the Tournament of Roses only live floral production which will include the floragraph that celebrates and honors Frank’s memory,” said Tom Mone, President of the Donate Life California Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of OneLegacy. “Frank’s legacy will live on forever because of his decision to be a donor, save and heal lives and inspire us all to register as a donor through the DMV.”
Each day, 22 people in the U.S. die waiting because the organ they needed did not become available in time. Organs needed for transplant are heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas or intestine. There are nearly 110,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Tissue transplants, meanwhile, save and heal lives. Tissues for transplant include cornea, skin, heart valves, bone tissue, tendons, veins, ligaments and cartilage. More than a million tissue transplants occur each year, and the surgical need for tissue has been steadily rising. Corneal transplants restore sight to nearly 50,000 people each year.
Fast Facts:
In 2019, organ, eye and tissue donors in California saved more than 4,400 lives, and improved thousands more with eye and tissue donation.
22 people across the country die each day awaiting life-saving organ transplants.
Over 21,500 people (about 19 percent of the national list) who wait for a life-saving organ transplant live in California.
About the 2021 Donate Life Rose Parade® Experience
While the traditional Rose Parade festivities have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Donate Life Rose Parade® Experience will be participating in the Tournament of Roses’ floral celebration this year. Frank, along with other donors, will be featured in the 2021 Donate Life Rose Parade® Experience’s floral installation, which incorporates floragraphs to honor organ, eye and tissue donors, along with other elements honoring Donation Healthcare Heroes. This installation will be featured in the Tournament of Roses’ Entertainment Special, airing on television nationally on January 1st, 2021 at 8:00am PST.
About Donate Life California:
The Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry is the nonprofit, state-authorized organ, eye and tissue donor registry. As a public service, the registry assures that all personal information is kept confidential and stored in a secure database, accessible only to authorized organ and tissue recovery personnel at the time of an actual donation opportunity. The registry is administered by Donate Life California and California’s four nonprofit, federally designated organ recovery organizations: Donor Network West, Lifesharing, OneLegacy and Sierra Donor Services. For more information about Donate Life California; how organ, eye and tissue donation saves and improves lives; and to sign up, please visit www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org or in Spanish at www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org.
All major religions support or permit organ, eye and tissue donation.
You are never too old or sick to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
Do not rule yourself out! People with all medical conditions are potential donors.
Please visit Donate Life California’s Stories of Hope web page to read inspiring stories about organ and tissue donors and recipients from around the state.
Article Written by: Cendy Moliere, Outreach Specialist, Disability Benefits Center
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits After an Organ Transplant
Organ transplants are very common, but there are still thousands of people that spend more than a year waiting for a donated organ that is the right match for them. During that time, and after a transplant surgery, it can be impossible for someone to work. People who need transplants and people who have had them can file a claim for Social Security disability benefits to help them cover their living and medical expenses while they wait for a donor organ or recover from a transplant surgery.
Social Security Benefits After an Organ Transplant
Anyone that has gone through an organ transplant surgery will automatically qualify for Social Security disability benefits for 12 months from the date of surgery. All you need to do is file a claim and submit proof that you had the surgery. This is the case for all organ transplants including:
Bone marrow transplant
Heart transplant
Kidney transplant
Liver transplant
Stem cell transplant
After 12 months you can apply to have your benefits extended. The Social Security Administration will look at your medical records and the recovery progress that you’ve made and decide whether or not you need another year of benefits. You can reapply each year if you need benefits past the two-year mark.
Social Security Disability Benefits While Waiting for A Transplant
The time frame for how long someone could wait for an organ varies depending on each individuals situation. It is not uncommon to wait months or years. Often those waiting are unable to work because of their medical condition. People who are waiting for a transplant can apply for Social Security disability benefits and usually all they need to do is submit proof that they are on the transplant list to be approved for those benefits. A few of the conditions that will qualify someone to receive benefits while they are on the transplant list are:
Cystic Fibrosis
COPD
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Leukemia
Liver disease
Lung cancer
Lymphoma
If you’re not sure if you qualify you can talk to your doctor to see what medical documentation you should submit with your claim.
Filing A Claim for Social Security Disability Benefits
If you’re not able to get out or you’re just more comfortable filing online, you can fill out and submit a claim for Social Security disability benefits online through the Social Security Administration’s website. But, if you need help filling out the application or if you have questions that you need answered before you can fill out the claim forms you can make an appointment at your local Social Security Administration office. Most cities and towns have a branch office of the SSA where you can get help if you need it. Bring your questions and all of your medical documentation with you to the appointment. One of the staff members at the office will sit down with you and answer your questions and help you fill out and submit your claim.
