CORE Recognizes Positive Impact That Legislation Has Had on Driving Organ Donation Registrations

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1, 2019 – The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) recognizes the 25^th anniversary of the Governor Robert P. Casey Memorial Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Trust Fund. Inspired by Governor Casey’s heart and lung transplant in 1993, this legislation allows Pennsylvanians to register as an organ donor at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Established on December 1, 1994, the Casey Trust set the stage for future federal legislation of the same nature. Today, more than 98 percent of Pennsylvania residents make the decision to register as an organ donor at the DMV, making it the leading location where donors make the choice to give the gift of life. 

By passing this groundbreaking initiative, the state of Pennsylvania positioned itself as a leading advocate for organ donation. This move has benefitted thousands of Pennsylvania residents over the past 25 years, allowing for an increase in the number of registered organ donors in the state, which, in turn, has increased the number of opportunities for life-saving transplantation surgery to occur. 

“On the 25^th anniversary of the Casey Trust, we celebrate the crucial support this legislation lends to advancing CORE’s mission to save and heal lives through organ donation and transplantation,” said Susan A. Stuart, president & CEO, CORE. “Having the ability to register as an organ donor at the DMV has given so many the opportunity to receive a live-saving organ transplant, and that is something our organization is tremendously grateful for.” 

CORE is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has an office in Charleston, West Virginia, and oversees 150 hospitals throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, New York. With a mission to save and heal lives through donation, and a vision that one day, every potential donor will make A Pledge for Life, CORE focuses on increasing understanding and awareness of organ donation and transplantation.

About CORE

The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) is one of 58 federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) in the United States. CORE works closely with donor families and designated healthcare professionals to coordinate the surgical recovery of organs, tissues and corneas for transplantation. CORE also facilitates the computerized matching of donated organs and placement of corneas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh and an office in Charleston, West Virginia, CORE oversees a region that encompasses 150 hospitals and almost six million people throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Chemung County, New York. For more information, visit core.org or call 1-800-DONORS-7. 

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