Michigan Secretary of State candidate says branch offices should ask about organ donation
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct a previous misstatement about where the announcement was held.
A candidate running for Michigan Secretary of State says if she's elected, all branch employees would be required to ask whether residents conducting business there want to be organ donors.
Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic candidate for the position, made the announcement in Ann Arbor on Wednesday.
John Gundrum, a double lung transplant recipient, takes his girlfriend's dog for his daily walk around their apartment complex earlier this summer. Gundrum supports a "just ask" policy.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file photo
The issue of whether Secretary of State employees follow a "just ask" policy has been a point of frustration among organ transplant advocates in the state who say the extra step of asking makes a difference. They say Michigan has a lower rate of drivers on the organ donor registry because there's no policy to explicitly ask them if they would like to be a donor.
Gift of Life Michigan has been among groups lobbying for a Michigan law that would require the state to explicitly ask drivers at Secretary of State offices whether they want to be on the state's donor registry.
About 30 other states require the "just ask" policy.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, a Republican, has vocally supported organ donation, gives year-round access of branch offices to Gift of Life volunteers and has publicized ways those interested can sign up for the organ donor registry, her office has said. Earlier this summer, Land proposed adding a box on state income tax forms for taxpayers to register for the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.
But, the Grand Rapids Press reported, Land opposed requiring branch employees to ask about the registry because it would impose an extra burden in SOS offices during times of already taxed state resources. Land's office could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Gift of Life Michigan doesn't endorse any candidates or political parties, but is advocating for what it calls a simple change that could have a big impact, said spokesman Tim Makinen.
"It's just not at the top of mind for a lot of people who are thinking about getting their license or their tags renewed," Makinen said.
The change could be enough to push a lot of people already thinking about it to sign up, and those who don't want to be part of the registry can say "no thanks," he said.
Since getting more prominent signage, floor and counter mats about the registry in every Michigan Secretary of State office earlier this year, the number of drivers registered rose from 23 percent to 26 percent, Makinen said. The national average is closer to between 37 percent and 40 percent, he said.
In Michigan, about 3,000 people are waiting for transplants. Annually, 25,000 people get organ transplants. About 6,000 people die waiting for a transplant. Michigan ranks 42nd in the nation for drivers who are registered organ donors.
Benson said said she believes she could decrease wait times in branch offices enough so it wouldn't cause a significant burden to the department to ask the question.
"I first heard people were waiting so long for organ transplants they were actually moving to other states," Benson said. "I wanted to find out why and learned 31 have branch office employees ask this question to people. That's the single difference between our state."
Washtenaw County Commissioner Jeff Irwin, a Democrat running to be a state representative, joined Benson for the announcement. He acknowledged the visibility of the organ donor registry in SOS offices and on its website has increased while Land has been in office, but said the efforts aren't enough. "It seems like a no brainer for me," Irwin said.
The greatest impact on the number of new people registered typically comes from programs in which volunteers stand in Secretary of State offices and ask people about joining the registry, Makinen said.
Scio Township resident John Gundrum, who received a double lung transplant two years ago, regularly serves as one of the volunteers. He said the process of signing up and being marked as a member of the organ donor registry on driver's licenses is more organized than in years past.
Gundrum said he generally receives a positive response and pretty high sign-up rates from people he talks to. But for some, inconvenience is the barrier to signing up.
"Most people, if you make it easy for them, will do it," he said.
Those interested in signing up for the Michigan Organ Donor Registry can sign up at https://services.sos.state.mi.us/OrganDonor/Registry.aspx, at www.giftoflifemichigan.org or by calling 1-800-482-4881.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
Robert Gale 2010 candidate for Mi. Secretary of State Constitution/US Taxpayer Party
Mon, Oct 25, 2010 : 10:26 p.m.
This is why I am proposing to dismantle and abolish the Michigan Secretary of State office as it is known today. This is another wacko BIG government idea going to far.This is a personal issue not BIG government. My BIG government opponent Jocelyn Benson is a Democrat and part of the problem that offers absolutely nothing different, the same old boring bickering do nothing establishment Democrat. It will be a utopia when this office is turned over to the private sector. The tax savings will be in the millions and returned to the Michigan taxpayer. This will spark the sagging Michigan economy and in turn create new private investment and new jobs for Michigan. I am NOT part of the establishment and definitely NOT a Democrat or Republican. I an a taxpayer NOT a politican! I will not look at polls and do what is popular like Jocelyn Benson and Ruth Johnson already do. I will get the job done and what must be done. There are NO sacred cows!
John Gundrum
Tue, Aug 17, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.
Olan I pass out literature a the Ann Arbor branch but you can not be there all the time, so if the clerks would take the 5 seconds to ask would you like to sign up for organ donation that would increace the number of people asked by alot. Thank you tina for doing this story and Jocelyn for supporting this
Steven
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
No they should not ask. Going to the secratary of state department is bad enough. When I go I just want to get in and get out. But it usually does not work out that way. The best thing they came up with, is the ability to some of them online. If they wanted more people to donate they should send an application with your renewal forms.
Ignatz
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
@Tim, Thanks for the info. I was wonder more about when a specific state made the change, but the gaping disparity between those states that do this and those that don't tell the story anyway. I think it would be more than worthwhile for us to have this done.
David J Undis
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
Your story about Organ Donation highlighted the tragic shortage of human organs for transplant operations. There are now over 108,000 people on the National Transplant Waiting List, with over 50% of these people dying before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year. There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage give donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die. Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs. Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 14,000 members at this writing, including 410 members in Michigan. Please contact me - Dave Undis, Executive Director of LifeSharers - if your readers would like to learn more about our innovative approach to increasing the number of organ donors. I can arrange interviews with some of our local members if you're interested. My email address is daveundis@lifesharers.org. My phone number is 615-351-8622.
Tim Makinen
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:51 a.m.
Re: Ignatz' question: Are there any studies that show an increase in those signing up to donate when a state's DMV asks that question as opposed to not asking it before? Yes. If you go to Donate Life America's website, http://www.donatelife.net/, you can read the April 2010 Donor Designation Report Card. It shows Michigan's donor designation rates in comparison to other states. It also shows which states have an "effective registry design." Michigan is not on that list, because our SOS (or DMV) does not enroll people through driver's license and state ID applications and renewals, e.g., "ask the question." If you look at the states that do have an effective registry design, almost every single one of them has a higher rate than Michigan. In many cases, it's dramatically higher. For instance, in Ohio, 55 percent of the adult population is on the donor registry. In Indiana, it's over 60 percent. Michigan, meanwhile, began the year at 23 percent. Signing up on the registry takes less than a minute at giftoflifemichigan.org. Tim Makinen Communications Director Gift of Life Michigan
Tina Reed
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.
A reader emailed me the following comment for me to share. I just recently returned from the US transplant games in Madison Wisconsin (kidney transplant 2001). I noticed that New York and Wisconsin residents have a choice for specialty license plates that say donate life on them. This would look like say a Michigan college plate. With the proceeds going to National Kidney Foundation. The response I got back from SOS is as follows: In order to develop new license plates, the Legislature must first approve the plate design and pass legislation mandating the creation of the plate. If you would like to pursue the creation of a Donate Life license plate, please contact your local state representative.
Ignatz
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.
Are there any studies that show an increase in those signing up to donate when a state's DMV asks that question as opposed to not asking it before?
Speechless
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
This is a fine idea, and I don't understand why possible long lines at the Ann Arbor office would be considered a deciding factor in implementing such a policy. As the extra delay per customer will be minimal, the office can quickly resolve time issues by adding a few staff hours, which it should do anyway. An alternative form of organ donation may also help ease those long renewal waits. A veteran musician's generous bequest of their Hammond B3 to the local office would give thumb-twiddling SoS customers The Gift of Live Sound to help pass the time.
magnumpi
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
probably better to ask in line at the DVM than at a hospital when people are still in shock.
KathrynHahn
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 3:23 a.m.
"The state should allow a modest "hero" payment for organs to help the family offset funeral costs and the shortage would go away immediately." Seriously? When you die, your organs are no longer of use to you but can save a dozen lives, provide sight for some, and more. And you want to be paid "hero money" Greedy! And shame on those who do nothing but complain about the line at Sec. of State. Beyond having it on your drivers license, your family must be aware of your decision, because the Dr's don't always check your license.Become a donor and make sure everyone in your immediate family knows it!
My Thoughts
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 1:17 a.m.
I had to go in to renew my license last month and was surprised because the lady actually asked me if I wanted to be a donor. It took an extra 15 seconds and my new license now has a donor heart above my picture. I have learned to travel away from Ann Arbor in order to get fast, friendly service at the DMV. The extra drive is worth the absence of frustration!
ChrisW
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11:37 p.m.
The wait at the Ann Arbor office is definitely too long. It was over 2 hours last month for a simple auto registration that could've been done by mail or the internet in more modern states. The state should allow a modest "hero" payment for organs to help the family offset funeral costs and the shortage would go away immediately.
frozenhotchocolate
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11:19 p.m.
Great idea. Didn't know it was so hard to see the box that asked if one wanted to be a donor or not. The lines totally have nothing to do with saving someones life, don't understand. As perhaps the most prolific O negative blood donors in the state I am shocked. If and when I die I want my leftovers to be used, the length of the line at the secretary of state should have no bearing... shame.
Jack
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11 p.m.
Great idea coming from a mother who has buried a precious and important child right before his 3rd birthday because of congenital heart defects. We tried to donate his organs but he was too sick and yet a new heart would have saved his life. Not enough people think about donating so it can only help to be asked when they are there in the office. It won't take too long or too much money to ask people and then hand them a form if they are interested. Trust me, a little time is worth saving a life! Not everything in life comes down to time and money...
Olan Owen Barnes
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 10:57 p.m.
I live in Scio Township and volunteer for Gift of Life of Michigan and the reason I have educated myself on this issue is that I am a Liver recipient who had for various reasons had to travel to Indiana for my organ transplant. I am just now (today as a matter of fact) going trough the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization to thank my organ donor family. People are dieing on the waiting list's in a unnecessary fashion due to the lack of viable organs and this is at least one way that should at least be discussed. As a retired state employee I know about wait times but passing out literature would just take seconds as would the input of data. It would not be the the duty of the state employee to use one iota of time to discuss the issues involved. It is my opinion that this should not be a partisan issue at all but a decision to chose life.
eleanor
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 8:57 p.m.
The wait is already too long. They are cutting workers and expect more work from those left. They have the information there if people want it they will sign up on their own.
Cash
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.
Seriously if anyone has stood in the line for service at a Michigan Secretary of State's Office recently when required to renew a license in person every 8 years......you may need an organ donation by the time you get to the front of the line. You may have aged 50 years! I arrived the office at 8:20 AM and when it opened at 9:05AM....there were over 50 people waiting to get in. I left in 20 minutes, but only 3 people had been waited on. That means a really long wait for a lot of people and it was very hot and humid outside. Before they worry about organ donation, they ought to worry about the fact that they are providing horrible service.
xmo
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
I wonder since you do not have to be a citizen to get a drivers license, do you have to be a citizen to donate body parts?