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Need For Organ And Tissue Donors

By Molly Daly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Thousands participated Sunday morning for the annual Gift of Life Donor Dash on MLK Drive, a celebration of organ and tissue donors and recipients.

A local expert who attended the race says that, as the field of tranplantation has grown, so has the need for donors.

Dr. Cosme Manzarbeitia is the Director of Transplantation at Crozer Chester Medical Center.

"We've seen a lot of changes in the donation, and in the transplantation area." said Manzarbeitia. "Probably more in the latter than in the former. Unfortunately, we don't have as many donors as we want, as that number has remained relatively flat."

Dr. Manzerbeitia says the field has grown from solid organ transplation to include the use of composite tissue, which could include skin, muscle, nerves and bone:

"For example face, and hand, and things of that nature."

There can't be transplants without donors, but some people just can't get past unfounded fears.

"They feel that because they're a donor, the doctors are not going to take care of them." Said Manzerbeitia. "There's nothing further from the truth."

The doctor's job is to save lives and, Dr. Manzebeitia says, when your life is over, your donated organs can make saving lives your legacy.

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