While end-of-life care is not a pressing issue for most Penn State students, a new Pennsylvania law on living wills will affect anyone who is suddenly unable to make life decisions.

According to www.aging.state. pa.us, family and friends have traditionally made end-of-life decisions for those unable to make their own, but on no legal basis.

Under the new law, end-of-life and healthcare decisions will be made in a specific order -- spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling, adult grandchild or close friend -- for those without a living will.

Mark Milliron, a Penn State instructor in health policy and administration, said most college-aged adults don't consider living wills.

"In the grand scheme of things, people probably don't have to worry about living wills until [they're] much older," Milton said.

"Car accidents and other accidents that happen to students are such a small percentage, but if you're unconscious or in a coma, then your loved ones will make the decisions surrounding your care if you don't."

Milliron said students should give thought to exactly what they want concerning their end-of-life decisions so problems don't arise.

"Take, for example, Terri Schiavo. If you don't make the decision about how you want to live, then someone is going to have to make it for you," Milliron said. "People have different religious beliefs and different views of what is right and wrong."

Paula Lanzara (junior-art history) said she has talked to her parents about what she wants and what her parents want with end-of-life decisions.

"I definitely think that everyone should talk about what they want with their own parents," Lanzara said.

Taylor Ritchie (sophomore-recreation, park and tourism management) said he hasn't given any thought regarding end-of-life decisions.

"My grandfather has a living will, and, I hate to say it, but he's on his last leg. We know exactly what he wants," Ritchie said.

"I never really think about one for me since we are college students."

Ritchie said although he hasn't discussed a will with his parents, he plans on doing so after graduation.

Organ donors are also a subject that can be affected by this new law, Milton said.

"Even if your driver's license says you are an organ donor, your next-of-kin can override that decision," Milliron said.

Lanzara said because her mom is a nurse, they both have talked about what the other one prefers in place of a will, and her mother knows that she wants to be an organ donor.

"Accidents are probably the number one cause of death in this age group," Milliron said.

"If a heart is young and healthy, are transplants something you would like to do? College kids don't really think anything will happen to them, but take for example Aaron Stidd, who was hit by a car awhile back."

On Oct. 28, junior Anthony Torsell was allegedly driving drunk Oct. 28 southbound on South Atherton Street when police said he hit Stidd and Richard Smith, who were crossing the street.

Stidd, a Penn State student, survived the accident. '

Smith died at Mount Nittany Medical Center the night of the accident.

Stidd's accident was something that his father, Jay Stidd, said he "never anticipated."

"In my opinion, I would endorse [this law], and would say it's long overdue," Jay Stidd said.