Importance Of Organ Donation

Organ transplants are constantly needed throughout the whole world. There are a lot of people who won’t donate because of the many myths there are about organ donation. This leads to a decrease in the amount of organ donors and an increase in the demand for organs. There are many different reasons as to why people need these transplants. Some may have cancer, diseases that affect a certain area, or just simply organ failure. When you are still living you can donate a kidney, a portion of your liver, a lung, and a pancreas and still live. If you are a deceased donor, you can donate two kidneys, 2 lungs, a whole liver, a heart, a pancreas, and intestines. After getting a transplant you will be put on medication to help lower the risk of your

The recovery rate for a most kidney transplant recipients are allowed to return to normal work and activities within three to eight weeks after the transplant. You are never too old to donate or receive an organ transplant, the oldest organ donor in the U.S. was a 92 year old he saved the life of a 69 year old. More than 60% of all the people who received organ transplants were 50 or older. Some lists that you have to sign up to get on to get a transplant, they sometimes have an age limit. There are different lists with different age limits, so when you are in need of a transplant make sure you look for the lists with your age. (Is There An Age Limit,

Although there are some medical conditions that may hold you back from donating like, active cancer and HIV infection, etc. Your medical history doesn’t really affect your ability to donate, unless it was a disease that interfered with your organs and may transfer to the recipient of the transplant. (Information about Organ, n.d.)

Other myths are “I don’t think my religion supports donation.” Most major religions in the U.S. don’t have anything against organ donation. If you still have doubts about whether your religion is against organ donation, then ask your religious leader for further explanation.

“If they see I am a donor at the hospital, they won’t try to save my life.” This is also not a true statement because when you are in the hospital you are the main priority not someone else who needs organs you have. They would not be allowed to just let you die because somebody needs an organ transplant and you are a match. (Information about Organ, n.d.) “Rich or famous people get on the waiting list faster.” Just because someone is famous doesn’t mean they get on a list faster. A national computer system matches donated organs to recipients. The computer wouldn’t register whether that person is famous or not, so there is an equal chance/wait for famous and infamous people. (Facts and Myths,