With the number of people in the United States waiting for a life saving organ transplant growing greater than 100,000 people, the need for organ donors is higher than ever. Taking time to educate yourself about organ and tissue donation is the first step in being a lifesaver. Whether you wish to donate while living and healthy or you wish to make a decision for the end of your life, giving the "Gift of Life" can help give another person a chance for a full life.
Misconceptions
One of the greatest myths regarding organ and tissue donation is that a potential donor is too old, too sick, or of an unacceptable ethnicity. The truth is that there is no upper age limit for the donation of many organs and tissues. Most medical conditions (even some cancers and chronic diseases) are compatible with donation, and the greatest need for donors is among multicultural populations.
Beliefs
People also wonder if their religion or spiritual beliefs allow organ donation. For most mainstream religions, including Buddhism, Christianity (both Protestant and Catholic), Judaism, Islam, and Jehovah's Witnesses, believe that donation is an act of kindness and charity and leaves the final decision up to the potential donor.
Funerals
In the cases of donation after death, one factor that causes hesitation for many potential donors and their families is the wish for an open casket funeral and concerns that donation may interfere with this desire. An open casket funeral is still possible with all types of organ and most types of tissue donation. Organs are recovered using a simple incision through the chest and abdomen that is stitched closed following the recovery. The scar looks much like one from open-heart surgery. Tissues are also recovered from surgical incisions, and in the case of bone, eye, and skin donation, a prosthesis is put in place to preserve the integrity of the donor's body.
Types
A person can choose to be a living donor and give while he is still in good health. Living donors may give one kidney or a segment of their liver, lung, or pancreas. They can donate to someone they know and are medically compatible with, or they can donate anonymously to a stranger.
Cadaveric donors give after they are declared legally deceased. Organ donors can save lives through the gift of their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small bowel and pancreas. Tissue donors can donate skin, bone, eyes, connective tissue and heart valves, among others. A single tissue donor can save or enhance up to 50 lives.
No Cost for Donation
While there are tests and procedures to ensure safe and effective organ and tissue transplants, there is never a charge to the donor or his or her family for donation. Donation is a selfless act of giving, and organs are not bought or sold in the United States. In addition, the recipient is never charged for the transplanted organ or tissue, although they do pay fees for their ongoing medical treatment and their physician's care.
References
- Tammie Peterson, RN; Director of Organ Recovery, Southwest Transplant Alliance; Dallas, Texas
- Donate Life America: Understanding Donation
