 Through the cooperative efforts of the communications industry, LifePage provides free pagers and paging services to patients registered for a kidney, pancreas, liver, heart, or lung transplant. By carrying a LifePage pager, these individuals can remain in constant contact with their hospital without always having to be near a telephone. They have the freedom to enjoy active lives without fear that they will miss the call that may mean life or death -- the call that a donor has been found.
The LifePage program began on a pilot basis in 1983 when ICS Communications, Inc. of Anaheim, California (a subsidiary of Metromedia, Inc.) reimbursed a customer for paging services when it was learned the pager had been obtained to keep in touch with a transplant coordinator. Following that, 300 pagers were donated to the Regional Organ Procurement Agency of Southern California and distributed to patients awaiting transplants.
PCIA adopted the fledgling program in September of that year, and continues to support it through its Science & Education Foundation. LifePage was officially announced at a news conference on November 15, 1983 at the U.S. Capitol by PCIA officials.
As Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee and sponsor of the National Organ Transplant Act Bill, Mr. Gore had firsthand knowledge of the psychological strain patients and their families endure while waiting for word of a possible organ donor. Calling LifePage a "genuine public service," Gore reflected on testimony presented to his subcommittee. "In my hearings," he said, "patients have shared the tragedy of feeling chained to their telephones...a pager can be the key to unlock those chains."
Since it began, the LifePage program has helped tens of thousands of patients. The service is made possible by the generosity of more than 400 paging companies, as well as equipment manufacturers and foundation contributors. Together they provide the airtime and equipment, and help cover the administrative costs associated with the program.
1993 marked the tenth anniversary of the LifePage program. This historical event was launched at the 1993 Industry Awards Dinner in New Orleans held in conjunction with PCIA's annual convention. Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. gave the keynote address describing the LifePage program as a "terrific technology paired with big hearts." |
