Organ donation is an issue that needs to be addressed to all people in this nation. It is a rather controversial issue, but it is an issue that, if understood correctly, can help to save many lives. Throughout this study, I have conducted research as well as surveys to learn more about organ donation myself as well as to gather information that I can present to the community. In this paper, I will discuss the pros and cons of organ donation as well as how the organ donation process works. I will also address many common myths that are commonly thought about organ donation. I conducted this research to further educate the community about organ donation as well as to make them aware of its importance.
Organ donation is a very important part of the medical world today. It can potentially save lives of people afflicted with disease or simply needing an organ transplant due to injury or some other cause. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 18 people die every day due to the fact that there are not enough organs available. This is an astonishing fact. It seems that people would simply realize the need for organ donation and the fact that once they are dead, they do not need their organs any longer. Obviously, this is a very serious subject that needs to be taken more seriously by the public of America.
One may ask, “Why even consider donating my tissues and organs?” Well there are a few very good reasons. The first of these is that nearly 84,000 people in the United States alone are on the national waiting list for an organ. This is a very large amount of people and a lot of lives could be saved through organ donation. Another reason is simply that organ donation saves lives. If you want to make a difference in this world or in the medical community, be an organ donor. Every day, about 68 people receive organ or tissue transplants that potentially extend their lease on life. 84 percent of patients who receive a kidney transplant are still alive 5 years later. This fact alone would make me want to become an organ donor just to further someone’s life. Another simple fact is that with your organs and tissues, you could help up to 50 people. There are many different organs and tissues from your body that can be used in other people.
Another question often asked by potential organ donors is “What organs and tissues can be used from my body?” This is a very credible question that needs to be answered. Some of the organs and tissues that can be used in another patient’s body are kidneys, hearts, lungs, livers, pancreases, intestines, skin, and blood. Small parts of organs can also be transplanted, such as the cornea of your eye. Your bone can also be transplanted as well as your bone marrow. Cardiovascular tissue can also be transplanted and used to repair parts of the heart. Heart valves can also be transplanted into small children, as they will grow with the children. Other tissues that can be transplanted are connective tissue, middle ears, and blood vessels.
A potential donor may also ask “Who decides who receives the donated organs?” Well the answer to that is simply the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. This group is the designated match-maker for patients who need organs. They match donated organs with critically ill patients on the national waiting list. There are a few specifications that they match up such as body size, compatibility of blood chemistry, and the seriousness of the patient’s disease.
One question many potential donors have is “Does organ donation leave a body disfigured?” This is a very good question, as many families would like to have the body in the best possible condition for a funeral. When the organs are harvested from the body, it is done in such a way that the appearance of the body is not changed for the funeral service. Clothes cover much of the body during a funeral anyway, and the eyes are sewn closed, so it will not be noticeable if you donated organs.
Organ donation is also free. This is an issue that is often questioned by many families. All costs that are related to the donation are paid by the recipient. These can be some very high costs, but health insurance helps the recipients pay for some of the cost and it costs the donor and their family nothing. So in the end, your family will only have to pay for medical care provided before death and funeral expenses that your insurance does not cover.
If you decide to be an organ donor, you may wonder if the organs are tested for disease or other conditions before they are transplanted. No testing is required before you sign a donor card or your driver’s license. At the time of death, if you are an organ donor, the organs will be tested for diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B. Only the organs that are healthy will be transplanted.
