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29 isle organ donors
save 70 lives

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By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii has moved into the top half of organ donation programs in the country with 70 patients receiving lifesaving transplants in each of the last two years, said Dr. Livingston Wong, Organ Donor Center founder and medical director.

"The generosity of Hawaii families has resulted in a record-breaking number of transplants," he said.

Last year, 29 families donated organs of their loved ones compared with 26 in 1999 and 16 the previous year, according to the center's figures.

Lifesaving transplants from the donations rose from 39 in 1998 to 70 in 1999 and again last year.

Filipino donors increased from one in 1993 (3 percent of total donors) to seven last year (25 percent of total donors).

That is a significant number compared with donations from other groups, noted Christopher Carroll, clinical director at the Organ Donor Center.

Of the total donors last year, nine were Asian and nine Caucasian, he said. The other four were Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian.

Tony Sagayadoro, program coordinator for the Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program, cites his own case in urging people to become organ donors.

He had a kidney transplant May 15 after waiting five years for a donated organ. He returned to work part time on Aug. 14.

"So far, so good," he said. "So far, I haven't had any sign of a rejection. Thank God, everything seems to be working. It's really a miracle."

Telling his personal story has given him "more connection to people" since returning to work, Sagayadoro said. They're surprised at how well he's doing after the transplant.

He had a five-year wait for an organ, even though he's with the program, he said.

During a recent checkup at the hospital, he said he talked to a young man who had just finished dialysis and has waited two years for a kidney.

"I was telling him my story. He was very surprised," Sagayadoro said.

He said his experience helps to dispel the perception of people who think those with money or influence have a better chance of getting an organ.

Filipino business, social, civic and religious leaders are helping to remove the misconceptions and encourage donations, he said.

He cited the recent case of Alejandro Gonzales, who died in a traffic accident.

The family was reluctant at first to discuss a donation but subsequently agreed. They also invited Sagayadoro to talk about organ donations at the funeral.

Alejandro's sister, Imelda, said the family was "so glad that we decided to donate. We understand that three people's lives were saved, and and we urge all Filipinos to consider this act of charity."

For more information about organ donors, call the center at 599-7630.