|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical advances have made it possible to transplant numerous tissues and organs from one human being to another to improve and save lives. The first transplant was performed in 1905 and the first blood transfusion in 1918. Current medical technology enables the transplantation of skin, heart, lung, pancreas, liver, bone and bone marrow. Today, nearly 15,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant.
Who can be an organ or tissue donor?
Almost anyone from birth to age 75 and beyond can be a donor. The Indiana Donation Alliance (an alliance of groups that promote organ donation) will determine the possibility of donation at the time of death.
What can I donate?
As an organ donor, you can donate heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestine and pancreas. As a tissue donor you can donate corneas, skin, bone and heart valves.
Is there a need for organ and tissue donors?
Yes. Every day up to eight people die because of a shortage of donated organs. Another man, woman or child is added to the transplant waiting list every eight minutes.
Does any religion support donation?
All major religions fully support organ and tissue donation. If you have a specific question, contact your religious leader.
Who pays for the organ donation?
There is no cost to the donor family nor is there any payment for donation. All costs are borne by the recipients of the organ transplant or by the recipient's insurance coverage. Hospital expenses incurred prior to the donation of organs and funeral expenses remain the responsibility of the donor's family.
Will my donation affect my funeral arrangements?
No. The appearance of your body will not be altered. A highly skilled team of transplant surgeons will recover the organs in a manner that will allow your family to carry out normal funeral arrangements.
Will my medical care be altered because of my decision to donate?
No. Before donation is considered, physicians and nurses will make every effort to save your life. The quality of medical and nursing care will not change regardless of your decision. A transplant team won't be involved until all possible efforts to save a patient's life have failed. The criteria used to determine brain death are based on strict medical and legal standards. The determination of brain death must be made by physicians who are not involved in the organ donation process.
How are donor organs matched with recipients?
Once a potential organ donor is identified by hospital staff and brain death is imminent or present, an organ procurement organization is contacted. The procurement organization is consulted about donor acceptability and often asked to talk with families to seek consent for donation. If consent is given, certain characteristics (age, blood type, weight, etc.) of the donor are compared with similar information of the recipients listed on the national computer waiting list. The most closely matched recipient is identified. Consideration is also given to the recipient's medical status (urgency of need) and time on the list. Organs go to those recipients with the most critical need and who most closely match the characteristics of the organ donor. Preference is given to recipients from the same area as the donor. Timing is a critical element in the organ procurement process. Hearts can last only 4 to 7 hours, kidneys for 72 hours. Lungs cannot be preserved outside the body for any extended period of time.
How many Americans carry organ donor cards?
A serious shortage of donated organs and tissues prevents many transplants from being performed. Potential organ donors are persons who have suffered irreversible catastrophic brain injury that results in "brain death;" i.e., all brain activity has permanently ceased, but heart and lungs can continue to function with the use of artificial life support. Potential tissue donors can be persons who have died from any cause except cancer, infection or from a rare disease. A 1987 Gallup survey indicates that while 98 percent of Americans are aware of organ transplants, only 20 percent of them carry an organ donor card. Many states provide organ donor cards on the back of their driver's licenses. Even if a person has a signed donor card, it is customary to obtain permission from the family. For this reason, it is important to have a family discussion and understanding of each member's views about organ donation.
How can I help?
Consider signing an organ donor card and discuss organ donation with your family so they know your wishes. Please visit the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization web site for organ donor information. It's free and it could save lives.
|
|
|
|
|
