Representative Heather Wilson: “Kyle is a normal second grader in New Mexico. But, when he was just nine days old, he and his family traveled to Loma…”

“Kyle is a normal second grader in New Mexico. But, when he was just nine days old, he and his family traveled to Loma Linda California for a much needed heart transplant. Every year, they make that same pilgrimage to Loma Linda for evaluations. It is 747 miles from Albuquerque to Loma Linda. The current regional transplant model with a national, government-run program results in fewer organs available to New Mexicans. While organs are shared over wide geographical areas, donated organs are sent out of state. I think this system has caused fewer New Mexicans to donate organs, and it has certainly impeded the decision of families to pursue a transplant. I applaud provisions of this bill which seek to educate the public on organ donation. It is by reaching folks one by one that awareness is raised. In New Mexico much of the public has misconceptions about this important issue. Since we have lost our transplant programs, many individuals decide that the travel distance, time, separation from family, and logistics are just too hampering. It is just too complicated and too much of a burden. We have some of the highest rates of Diabetes, Kidney disease, and Hepatitis B and C of any state, and yet our rates of transplants are among the lowest. We need hearts, we need livers, we need pancreases, and we need the ones we procure to stay close to home. I also reiterate support for the sense of Congress contained in his bill that refers to family discussions of donation.”