Grassroots campaign helps raise number of motorists willing to be organ donors

New Jersey Star Ledger | Jessica Calefati

Photo: Officials attribute the bump in northern New Jersey to a grassroots campaign aimed at raising awareness about organ donation in minority communities, according to the nonprofit New Jersey Sharing Network, which facilitates transplants across the state and released the report.

NEWARK — The number of drivers willing to become organ donors increased 19 percent over the first six months of this year, according to a report released Tuesday that uses information gathered from motorists who received or renewed their licenses in Newark.

Officials attribute the bump in northern New Jersey to a grassroots campaign aimed at raising awareness about organ donation in minority communities, according to the nonprofit New Jersey Sharing Network, which facilitates transplants across the state and released the report.

“Getting drivers registered as organ donors is part of our primary responsibility, not an ancillary thing that has been tacked onto our work,” said Raymond Martinez, chief administrator of the state Motor Vehicle Commission.

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