Organ Donation
Nearly 80,000 men, women, and children are currently
awaiting organ and tissue transplants, over 4,300
in the Delaware Valley alone. Organ transplants
save lives, but only if you help. You can save
the lives of up to eight people when you make
the decision to become an organ and tissue donor.
Some of the most common organs that patients
are awaiting include:
- heart
- lungs
- liver
- kidneys
- pancreas
Clearing up the myths
Myths about organ and tissue donation have
hindered the numbers of organ donors, costing
the lives of multitudes of patients on the transplant
waiting list.
Some of the myths of organ and tissue donation
that have surfaced over the years include:
- There's an age limit for organ donors.
FACT: There is no age limit for organ
and tissue donation. Donation depends on the
physical condition of the donor, not the age.
In fact, newborns and senior citizens have been
successful organ donors in the past.
- Organ donation will disfigure my body.
FACT: Donated organs are removed surgically
in a routine operation. Donation doesn't change
the way the body looks in the casket.
- The families of organ donors are charged
for the donation.
FACT: Donation costs nothing to the donor's
family or estate.
- People with a history of medical illness
cannot be donors.
FACT: With recent advances in transplantation,
many more people than ever can be donors.
A decision made easy
While 63 people receive an organ transplant
each day, another 16 people on the waiting list
die because there are not enough organs available.
When you learn the facts about organ and tissue
donation, the decision is easy - Put the "organ
donor" designation on your driver's license
or state ID card, or sign a donor card and make
sure to tell your family about your decision.
Your decision to donate can save many lives.
Reviewed by: Kim
M. Olthoff, MD
Last updated: July 2002
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