|
 A
tragedy has just occurred - the emergency room doctor has just told
you that a loved one has died suddenly - the result of trauma -
a terrible automobile accident or gunshot wound for instance, or
unexpectedly from a medical condition such as a stroke or heart
attack. You are recovering from the news, when the doctor asks you
if your loved one is an organ or tissue donor. What would you say?
Do you know your loved ones wishes?
How
to become an organ and tissue donor
Transplantations
save lives but only if you and your family members know each other's
wishes. All you need to do is to say yes to organ and tissue donation
on your donor card and/or driver's license and discuss your decision
with your family.
| You
could help 50 people if you decide to donate your organs
and tissues: |
|
Your
heart could beat for someone else. |
|
Your
lungs could breathe for someone else. |
|
Your
kidneys could free two people from dialysis. |
|
Your
liver could save the life of a patient awaiting transplantation. |
|
Your
corneas could give sight to two people. |
|
Your
bone could help repair other peoples' damaged joints.
|
|
Your
skin could help heal many burn victims. |
|
Talk
to your family members about organ and tissue donation so they know
your wishes. Even if you've signed something, your family will be
asked to give consent before donation can occur.
If
you are a member of PersonalMD.com, information about your organ
and tissue donor status is included on your ER Card and in your
Emergency Record Summary.
Frequently
asked questions
Who
can become a donor?
All individuals can indicate their intent to donate. Medical suitability
for donation is determined at the time of death.
Are
there age limits for donors?
There are no age limitations on who can donate. The deciding factor
on whether a person can donate is the person's physical condition,
not the person's age. Newborns as well as senior citizens have
been organ donors. Persons under 18 years of age must have their
parents' or guardian's consent.
How
do I express my wishes to become an organ and tissue donor?
-
Indicate your intent to be an organ and tissue donor on your driver's
license.
- Carry
an organ donor card.
- Most
importantly, discuss your decision with family members and loved
ones
If
I sign a donor card, or indicate my donation preferences on my driver's
license, will my wishes be carried out?
Even if you sign a donor card it is essential that your family
know your wishes. Your family will be asked to sign a consent
form in order for your donation to occur.
What
organs and tissues can I donate?
Organs:
Heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines
Tissue: Cornea, skin, bone marrow, heart valves, and connective
tissue
If
I sign a donor card, will it affect the quality of medical care
I receive at the hospital?
No! Every effort is made to save your life before donation is
considered.
Will
donation disfigure my body? Can there be an open casket funeral?
Donation does not disfigure the body and does not interfere with
funeral plans, including open casket services.
Why
should minorities be particularly concerned about organ donation?
Some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are
found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations
than in the general population. For example, African Americans,
Asian and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics are three times more
likely to suffer from end-stage renal disease than Whites.
Native Americans are four times more likely than Whites to suffer
from diabetes. Some of these diseases are best treated through
transplantation; others can only be treated through transplantation.
Successful transplantation often is enhanced by the matching of
organs between members of the same ethnic and racial group. For
example, an African American patient is often less likely to reject
a kidney if it is donated by an individual who is genetically
similar.
Generally, people are genetically more similar to people of their
race than to people of other races. A shortage of organs donated
by minorities can contribute to death and longer waiting periods
for transplants for minorities.
Are
there any costs to my family for donation?
The donor's family does NOT pay for the cost of the organ donation.
All costs related to donation of organs and tissues are paid by
the recipient, usually through insurance or Medicare.
Can
I sell my organs?
No! The National Organ Transplant Act makes it ILLEGAL to sell
human organs and tissues. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment.
Among the reasons for this rule is the concern of Congress that
buying and selling of organs might lead to inequitable access
to donor organs with the wealthy having an unfair advantage.
How
are organs distributed?
Patients are matched to organs based on a number of factors including
blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, time on the waiting
list, and geographical location.
For
more information about organ and tissue donation and to print out
an organ donor card click on http://www.organdonor.gov/
Source:
US Health Resources and Services Administration and the US Department
of Health and Human Services www.organdonor.gov
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