The need for a life-saving transplanted organ is a true need for tens of thousands of people in the United States.
A new person is added to the organ transplant waiting list every 10 minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 100,000 people on the active waiting list for organs. The number in need changes every day, but those requiring a transplant continue to increase faster than available donors. The CDC states that living donors provide on average around 6,000 organs per year.
For those who are interested in giving the gift of life to others, here are 10 facts about organ donation:
- All adults can sign up to be organ donors, according to the U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation. “Whether someone is suitable for donation is determined at the time of death.”
- Newborns to seniors can donate. The ability to donate depends on the condition of the organs.
- Some people with medical conditions are still able to donate depending on the condition of particular organs. “Even if there’s only one organ or tissue that can be used, that’s one life saved or improved,” according to OrganDonor.gov.
- People can also donate their entire body to science. You would need to make arrangements ahead of time with the specific entity, whether it is a medical school, research facility or other agency.
- Adults and, in some states, people under 18 can register as donors in their state.
- There is no cost to your family if you donate.
- The organs and tissues that can be donated include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, intestines, hands, face, cornea, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, connective tissue, bone marrow and stem cells, and umbilical cord blood.
- A majority of organ and tissue donations are after death, but there are about 6,000 living donations annually. This often occurs among family members, although “some people become altruistic living donors by choosing to donate to someone they don’t know.”
- Living donations can include one of two kidneys, one of two lobes of the liver, a lung or part of a lung, part of the pancreas, or part of the intestines.
- Some living tissue donations include skin, bone, healthy cells and blood.
Whether the donation is living or after someone has died, this is a very personal decision and people are encouraged to make an educated choice, one that could extend the life of a loved one or stranger.
For more information on living kidney donation, please contact UofL Health – Trager Transplant Center at502-587-4358, option 5 or800-866-7539, option 5.
Tags: Organ Donation, Wellness
Article by: UofL Health
UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with eight hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. With more than 13,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health careprofessionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.
I am an organ transplantation enthusiast with a deep understanding of the subject matter. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of organ donation, transplantation procedures, and the critical issues surrounding this life-saving practice.
The article you provided discusses the importance of organ donation, shedding light on key facts that underscore the urgency of the matter. Here's an analysis of the concepts used in the article:
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Organ Transplant Waiting List: The article highlights the pressing need for organ transplants, with a new person added to the waiting list every 10 minutes. This information aligns with the ongoing demand for organs and the continuous increase in the number of individuals awaiting transplants.
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Living Donors: The article mentions that living donors contribute around 6,000 organs per year. Living donation is a crucial aspect of organ transplantation, involving individuals willingly providing organs or tissues, often to family members or, in some cases, altruistically to strangers.
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Eligibility for Organ Donation: The U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation is cited to emphasize that all adults can sign up to be organ donors. The eligibility for donation is determined at the time of death, and individuals of various age groups, including newborns and seniors, can potentially donate depending on the condition of their organs.
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Types of Organs and Tissues: The article provides a comprehensive list of organs and tissues that can be donated, ranging from vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and liver to tissues like skin and bone marrow. This information is crucial for understanding the breadth of possibilities in organ donation.
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Living Donations: Living donations encompass various possibilities, such as donating one of two kidneys, part of the liver, a lung, part of the pancreas, or part of the intestines. This demonstrates the diverse ways in which individuals can contribute to saving lives through living donations.
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Personal Decision: The article emphasizes that whether the donation is made during a person's lifetime or after death, it is a highly personal decision. Encouraging individuals to make informed choices underscores the gravity of the decision-making process in organ donation.
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Cost of Donation: Notably, the article mentions that there is no cost to the family if someone chooses to donate. This is an essential point, as it addresses potential concerns and encourages individuals to consider organ donation without financial implications for their loved ones.
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Whole Body Donation: The article briefly mentions that individuals can donate their entire bodies to science, highlighting the option of contributing to medical research through arrangements with specific entities.
In conclusion, the article effectively communicates key information about organ donation, ranging from eligibility criteria to the types of organs that can be donated, underscoring the significance of informed decisions in this life-saving practice. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
