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January 8, 2009

Our view: Generous act leaves lasting impression

There are at least three strangers, probably more, who will always be grateful to Mark Haubner, the 26-year-old Wilmington man killed in a tragic accident on Route 1 in Danvers New Year's Eve.

Haubner suffered severe head injuries and died two days later, after his car was struck by a pickup truck as he was attempting to make a left turn from the ExxonMobil gas station into the southbound lane of the highway near the Ferncroft rotary.

But because he'd checked the box on his license application indicating his desire to be an organ donor in such circumstances, Haubner's liver, kidney, corneas and skin tissue went to help others in dire need of those body parts.

Currently only 39 percent of Massachusetts' 4.6 million drivers are registered organ donors. The state Registry of Motor Vehicles would like to increase that to 70 percent, and in pursuit of that goal recently began offering drivers the opportunity to sign up via its Web site (www.Mass.Gov/RMV).

"Every day 17 people die waiting for lifesaving organ and tissue transplants," according to Registrar Rachel Kaprielian. "Right now 3,000 Massachusetts residents are on the waiting list. With our newest RMV service, registering to save a life will be just a click away."

Added Sean Fitzpatrick, public affairs director for the New England Organ Bank in a recent release, "Donor registries work. Over the last two years, New England Organ Bank identified 46 organ donors through the Massachusetts Donor Registry. These donors saved the lives of over 140 transplant recipients. That is 140 people who otherwise may have died if it were not for the Donor Registry."

Haubner's brother, Shawn, told reporter Bruno Matarazzo Jr. they were grateful for the care he received at the scene and in the hospital, the fact that they were able to spend time with him before he died, and knowing that the simple act of his registering as an organ donor allowed others to live.

"He always did his own thing, and since he took the time to check the box off, there is a reason he wanted to be an organ donor, Shawn Haubner said.

Indeed, such was the impression this simple act made on Haubner's grieving family, it asked that any memorial contributions be sent to the New England Organ Bank (1 Gateway Center, Suite 202, Newton, MA 02458). And Shawn and others say they plan to register as donors themselves. So should everyone.

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