Learn About Organ Donation
Posted by Rachel on January 31, 2008
Via Marylaine Block’s Neat New Stuff, I learned of OrganDonor.gov, a website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides information on becoming an organ and tissue donor. Who can donate, what can be donated, religious views on the topic, transplantation matching and finances, and other relevant topics are all covered. The site also provides a “Reduce the Risk” section which tackles health factors that increase the risk of needing a transplant, and health tips for reducing that risk.
According to the site, as of today there are 98,078 on waiting lists for transplant in the U.S.
daveundis said
Over half of the 98,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 6,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage — give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren’t willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at http://www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88.
Doc said
Do you have Donor Cards in the US, so that if the worst happens then your wishes to donate are known?
Rachel said
We do (and can indicate our wishes on our driver’s licenses) but I don’t think it’s the final word – as far as I know, family may be asked to consent.