Did you know
One Organ Donor has the Power to Give 8 People a Second Chance at Life.
Donating ones organs is a very personal decision. Educating yourself and family members is the first step in making the right decision for you.
I am a strong believer in organ donation. I’ve watched a family member await a life saving organ and I’ve been the patient. That being said, I’m not one to judge another person for choosing differently.
I do however, hope to dispel any uneasiness you may have on the subject and help you make an informed decision. If I can help educate just one person, this article will have served it’s purpose.
Statistics
These numbers change on a daily basis
- 112,706 are currently waiting for the gift of life, including children.
- 23,747 transplants were performed in 2011.
- 90,564 people are awaiting a blood cleansing kidney.
- 16,067 people are waiting for a new liver.
- 3,113 people are waiting to hear the beat of their new heart.
- 1,677 are waiting to take a breath of fresh air with new lungs.
- 18 people die each day while waiting for the gift of life.
If you want to be a donor
Signing your organ donor card is not enough. Let your family and friends know you wish to donate. Before procurement is done, family members are required to sign a consent form. If they don’t know, your wish will never be carried out.
Living Donation
You can donate now. Living donation is often done between family members. For example, a sister needs a life saving kidney. Her brother has two and gives one to his sister.
You can donate right now
- 1 Kidney (you have 2)
- Portion of the intestine
- Portion of the liver
- Lobe of a lung
- Bone Marrow
- Blood
More recently, non related people have been giving the gift of life.
I was lucky to receive my kidney from a living related donor. My older brother received his kidney from an amazing family who made the decision to donate their sons organs.
In fact, I’ve received not one but two transplants. The first was donated from my father in 1997. Within 32 hours of transplantation, I had three separate surgeries due to complications. I fought to keep the kidney but lost the battle nine years later.
In 2006, my mother donated my second kidney.
My parents gave me life three times.
