More than 100,000 people are waiting for organ transplants at any given time, according to Donate Life America, a Virginia-based organization formed "to educate the public about organ, eye and tissue donation." Families struggle during an emotionally trying time with the decision to donate organs. The decision is more difficult when families do not know their loved one's wishes. Organ procurement, transplant and advocacy organizations provide information to help families weed through the myths, understand the facts and make informed decisions.
Organ Donation and Transplants
Organ donation is the removal of healthy organs and tissues from one person for transplantation to another person, according to MedLine Plus. Donated organs include the heart, heart valves, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas and tendons. Individuals also donate skin, bone, bone marrow and corneas. Tissue and organ donation occurs most often after the death of the donor. However, people who are still living make some organ and and tissue donations.
Organ Donation Myths
Many families find it difficult to make organ donation decisions because of the myths and fears that surround the process. The Gift of Life Donor Program advises families that neither they nor the deceased person's estate pays for organ donation costs, and that all organized religions approve of organ donation. A medical illness does not preclude a person from donating organs. Potential organ donors include people of any age or medical condition, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Organ donation does not cause disfigurations that could prevent an open-casket funeral.
The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
Race, income, or social status does not determine placement on the national organ donation, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing,the organization that operates the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. An individual's place on the national waiting is determined by blood type, the organ the individual needs, length of time on the list, seriousness of illness, immune status and the geographical distance between the transplant recipient and the donor.
State Organ Donor Consent Policies
Donate Life America reports that 90 percent of Americans voice their support of organ donation. However, only 30 percent know how to become an organ donor. Each state has an organ donor consent policy, and the policies vary greatly. Some states prohibit families from overriding a person's organ donation decision, and some states allow families to make the decision in the absence of direction from the deceased. Some states recognize only first-person consent--the deceased person's consent--and others designate specific documents as a way to confer legal consent for organ donation. The United Network for Organ Sharing provides information about each state's policy on its website.
First Person Consent Registries
A national organ donor registry, similar to the national organ waiting list, does not exist. The 50 states and the District of Columbia have first-person consent policies. Every state maintains, or is in the process of implementing, a first-person consent donor registry. State legislatures authorize the creation of the registries. Some states decree that the registries are legally binding, and that family consent is not required to begin organ donation. In fact, many state organ donor registry laws remove requirements to consult family about their preferences before proceeding with organ donation.
