North Central PA Times

Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) recently spoke about Senate Resolution 259, proclaiming April 2024 as “Pennsylvania Donate Life Month,” emphasizing the importance of living organ donors. Culver shared, “A living donor saved my life. I am still able to serve because there was a match in my family who was willing to sacrifice a part of themselves. Most patients waiting on a transplant waiting list are not as lucky as I was.”

In collaboration with Sen. Lindsey M. Williams (D-38), Culver is working on legislation to support living organ donors. Williams highlighted the significance of living donors, stating, “Living donors give their recipients more than just extra time, they give recipients the chance to live a life free of time-consuming, exhausting treatment and free of pain.” Williams expressed hope that the resolution and forthcoming legislation, which aims to assist living donors with expenses related to organ donation, will inspire more individuals to consider this life-saving act.

The proposed legislation seeks to provide living organ donors with a tax deduction of up to $10,000 for non-reimbursable expenses associated with organ donation, such as travel costs and lost wages. Currently, Pennsylvania employers are eligible for tax credits for expenses linked to an employee’s organ donation, but individual donors do not have the same benefit. Living donors offer several advantages, including improved genetic matching and a reduced need for dialysis, ultimately contributing to saving lives.

For those interested in learning more about becoming a living donor or a registered organ donor, additional information is available at www.donatelifepa.org.

For further inquiries, Culver's press contact is Betsy Reichenbach at 717-787-8928, while Williams' press contact is Becky Boyle at 412-364-0469.