Ordinary people do extraordinary things every day. I've seen this countless times in the 5+ years I've worked as a Heart Transplant Coordinator. Patients with end-stage heart failure fighting for every breath. Victims of massive MIs waking up on life support to discover they need a heart transplant. Although medical technology and organ donation awareness have continued to advance, the demand for organs still vastly exceeds the number of organ donations.Statistics:
- There are more than 98,000 people on the national transplant waiting list.
- 77 people receive a life-saving organ transplant each day.
- 18 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant each day.
- 1 organ donor can save or enhance the lives of over 50 people.
Myths:
1. Myth: If I am in an accident and the doctors or nurses find my donor card, they will not try to save my life.
Fact: Doctors, nurses and paramedics will do everything to try to save your life. In fact, an individual needs to be in the hospital and on a ventilator at the time of death in order to donate organs. The local organ donor recovery network is not notified until all life-saving efforts have failed. The transplant team is not notified by the local organ donor recovery network until after they have spoken with the individual's family.
2. Myth: My body will be mutilated and disfigured if I would donate.
Fact: Donated organs and tissue are removed surgically in the regular hospital operating room. Doctors maintain dignity and respect for the donor at all times. Organ donation itself does not preclude an open casket service for the donor.
3. Myth: Wealthy people are the only people who receive transplants.
Fact: Organs are matched first according to height, weight and blood type, followed by medical urgency and then time accrued on the waiting list. Fame and fortune do not determine who receives a transplant. Most major insurances now cover transplants.
4. Myth: I cannot choose what I want to donate.
Fact: You may specify what organs or tissues you want to donate on your donor card. Your wishes will be followed.
5. Myth: I am not the right age for donation.
Fact: Organs may be donated from someone as young as a newborn. There is no age limit for organ donation. The general age limit for tissue donation is 80 and cornea donation is 70.
6. Myth: If I do not sign a donor card, my organs and tissues won't be donated.
Fact: Without a donor card or donor designation, families of suitable donors will still be offered the opportunity to donate. To ensure your wishes are fulfilled, sign a donor card, place the designation on your license/state identification card and ensure your family knows your wishes.
7. Myth: My religion does not support donation.
Fact: All major religions either support donation or view it as an individual decision. The exceptions to this are the Gypsy and Shintu religions.
8. Myth: Only heart, liver and kidneys can be donated.
Fact: The pancreas, lungs, intestines and the stomach can also be donated, as can corneas, tendons, saphenous and femoral veins, fascia, heart valves, skin and bone.
9. Myth: Organs go to people who didn't take care of theirs.
Fact: Organs in fact go to people who were born with or developed diseases that have caused organ failure. Less than five percent of people awaiting transplant have destroyed their organ through substance abuse. For those people, they must achieve and sustain sobriety before they can be listed for transplant.
10. Myth: My organs aren't of any value because I have a history of medical illness.
Fact: Few illnesses or conditions prevent someone from being a donor. At the time of death, your medical and social histories will be reviewed to determine suitability.
April is Organ Donor Awareness Month. The lack of organ donors is a national medical crisis. The cure has nothing to do with money or legislation. It has everything to do with people - starting with you. Do something extraordinary. Your decision to donate will make a difference. Donation saves lives, lots of them. (http://www.organdonor.gov/, http://www.donatelife.net/)
1 comment:
Over half of the 98,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 6,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition.
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