SAN ANTONIO – KSAT Community is hosting a town hall to address the trend of people opting out of organ donation, what it could mean for patients and families waiting for transplants and how to separate facts from misinformation.
KSAT will livestream the town hall in this article. Delays are possible; if there is not a livestream available, check back at a later time.
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Organ donation advocates say the decision to opt out can ripple far beyond one person, affecting people on transplant waiting lists and loved ones hoping for a second chance.
“When someone opts out of the donor registry, it reduces the number of lifesaving opportunities for patients and families waiting for a transplant and can leave loved ones facing difficult decisions,” said Casey Casseb, the director of communications for Texas Organ Sharing Alliance. “That’s why we encourage people to talk with their family now about their donation wishes. Recently, we’ve seen more people remove their names due to misinformation and fear fueled by misleading news and social media content, but it’s important for the public to understand that organ donation only occurs after every life-saving measure has been taken and death is declared, with strict safeguards in place to protect donors and patients and ensure the process is ethical, respectful, and transparent.”
KSAT Community Town Hall
The town hall will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, hosted by Ernie Zuniga.
The discussion will focus on:
- Why some people are removing themselves from the organ donor registry and what it means for those waiting on a transplant
- Common misinformation about organ donation and what the process really looks like
- The safeguards designed to protect donors and patients
- How to confirm, update or change your registration
- How to talk with loved ones about organ donation decisions
Viewers will hear from organ procurement experts, organ donors and transplant recipients.
KSAT Community Phone Bank
KSAT Community will also host a live televised phone bank from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 6. Volunteers will be available to help community members register to become organ donors and to answer questions about organ donation for those who want to learn more.
Learn More
Learn more about becoming an organ donor, how donors are identified, and how to register.
- Learn about the myths, facts and process of organ donation
- Register now to become an organ donor
KSAT Community operates in partnership with University Health and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union. Click here to read about other KSAT Community efforts.