Sensitive Terminology of Organ Donation

In May 2005, the Donor Family Council of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) approved the use of new terminology about donation. The council reasoned that avoiding words and phrases that cause concern among donor families and the general public will increase both understanding and acceptance of the donation process. These terminology updates are unanimously supported by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and have been adopted by the American Journal of Transplantation.

TRIO thanks Ms. Tenaya Wallace, Communications Manager of One Legacy of Southern California, for providing the above article.