Moreover, NCRP sees the question of whether a charitable donation serves the public good as not to be left just to the discretion of donors.

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When the pledge is fulfilled, the donation will be the biggest gift ever made to a public park.

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But there's a straightforward reply, arising from the observation that the vast majority of the public support organ donation, though few get around to signing the donor register.

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Deepak Mahtani is from the organisation Transplants in Mind, which works to increase public awareness of the benefits of organ donation.

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Mr. Buffett's donation to the Gates Foundation goes to the heart of my critique of his public call for higher tax rates on the rich.

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Autopsy, like organ donation, is a difficult subject to broach with grieving families (though the public good associated with both can help the grieving process).

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The STG - which includes health professionals, patients' organisations and members of the public - was created last year to provide advice on organ donation and transplantation.

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Instead of asking the public for a one-off donation (as what may have happened previously with door to door charity collectors or events such as telethons) collectors try and get people to sign up to a direct debit scheme where monies are deducted from their bank accounts each month.

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And while a generous donation by an investment bank might not make the general public swoon, it can demonstrate a sense of ethical responsibility to its client base.

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