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Here are some questions often asked regarding organ donation
and transplantation:
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION?
The number of people in need of a transplant
continues to rise faster than the number of donors. About 3,700 transplant candidates are added to the national waiting list
each month. Each day, about 77 people receive organ transplants. However, 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that
cannot take place because of the shortage of donated organs.
Each of us could possibly save or help as many as 50 people
by being an organ and tissue donor.
WHO CAN BE AN ORGAN DONOR?
There is no age limit on who can donate. Newborns
as well as senior citizens have been organ donors. If you are under age 18, you must have a parent's or guardian's consent.
In some states, you can state your wishes to be an organ donor on your driver's license. Even if you sign a donor card and/or
state your wishes on your driver’s license, make sure you talk with your family . They may be asked to give consent in order
for your donation to occur. You may also want to tell your family physician, lawyer, and your religious leader that you would
like to be a donor.
WHAT ORGANS AND TISSUES CAN I DONATE?
Kidney, heart, liver, lung, pancreas, intestines,
cornea, skin, bone and bone marrow.
IS THERE ANY COST TO THE DONOR FAMILY?
No. The donor's family neither pays
for, nor receives payment for organ and tissue donation. The transplant recipient's health insurance policy, Medicare, or
Medicaid usually covers the cost of donation and transplant.
IF I SIGN MY ORGAN DONOR CARD, WILL I RECEIVE APPROPRIATE
MEDICAL CARE IF I AM TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL?
Yes. Many people think that if they agree to donate their organs, the doctor
or the emergency room staff won't work as hard to save their life. This is not true.
The transplant team is completely
separate from the medical staff working to save your life. The transplant team does not become involved with you until doctors
have determined that all possible efforts to save your life have failed.
DOES ORGAN DONATION DISFIGURE YOUR BODY?
No. Donation does not change the appearance of the body. Organs are removed surgically in a routine operation. It does
not interfere with having a funeral, including open casket services.
CAN NON-RESIDENT IMMIGRANTS DONATE AND RECEIVE
ORGANS?
Non-resident immigrants can both donate and receive organs in the United States.
WHY SHOULD MINORITIES
BE CONCERNED ABOUT ORGAN DONATION?
The need for transplants is high among minorities, particularly African Americans.
Some
diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas, and liver that can lead to organ failure are found more frequently in minority
groups.
The rate of organ donation from minorities does not keep pace with the number needing transplants. Although minorities
donate, in part, to their share of the population, their need for transplants is greater.
Matching donor organs to likely
recipients requires genetic similarity. In most cases, people are more similar to people of their ethnicity than to people
of other ethnic groups.
Minorities may have to wait longer for matched organs and therefore may be sicker at the time
of transplant or die waiting. With more donated organs from this group, finding a match will be quicker and the waiting time
will be cut, and more lives will be saved.
WHO MANAGES THE DISTRIBUTION OF ORGANS
The United Network for Organ
Sharing (UNOS) maintains the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Through the UNOS Organ Center, organ donors
are matched to waiting recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
MY RELIGION DOES NOT SUPPORT ORGAN DONATION!
All
religions support organ donation. It is considered a generous act that is an individual's choice.
Below are several
web sites that offers more information about the many myths and misperceptions surrounding organ donation:
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