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History of the Campaign

 

Act 102 and The History of the Campaign
With organ and tissue transplantation becoming an integral part of health care across the country, a forward-looking Pennsylvania legislature enacted Act 102 in 1994 to educate state residents and encourage them to become organ and tissue donors. This legislation was a first of its kind and helped place Pennsylvania in the forefront of donation. Act 102 created The Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund. Specific responsibilities were assigned to the Departments of Health, Transportation, Education and Revenue.

Among its many provisions, the act mandated that hospitals notify the organ procurement organizations (CORE and GOL) about potential donors and that families of the deceased be given the opportunity to donate their loved one’s organs and tissues. This “routine referral” law has been responsible for increased donation rates and was the model for federal regulation. Additionally, to ensure hospital compliance, the act established an ongoing review process of Pennsylvania’s hospitals to ensure that they were following the guidelines. In addition, the act established Pennsylvania’s driver’s license registry and provided a program to cover food and lodging expenses up to $300 so that there is no cost to the family of a donor.

About the Organ Donation Advisory Committee
Effective March 1, 1995, a 15-member Organ Donation Advisory Committee was created and named. It was charged with reviewing progress in the area of organ and tissue donation, as well as recommending priorities for expenditure of the Trust Fund, carrying out education and awareness programs, and recommending legislation. The committee reports to the General Assembly at the end of each legislative session. It is comprised of various representatives of the state as well as ordinary Pennsylvanians – donor families and recipients whose lives have been touched by this important issue.

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Donating to the Trust Fund
You can help further this critical work by making donations directly. Make checks payable to The Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund and send to:

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