Organ donations can be taboo for some people; but because of its importance, open conversation and knowledge of the facts can make it a decision for life or death for someone else.
The big news is that more than 75 people a day will receive the much needed organ transplantation. The sad news is that, on average, 18 people will die on the same day, waiting for a vital organ transplant, this is simply due to lack of accessibility. In the United States, more than 100 million people are registered as an organ donor, but there is still a shortage. In a recent study in 2010, more than 60% of women live as donors.
Statistics for most people are just numbers; but in this scenario, each “statistic” is a real person (dad, child, mom, maybe even your own brother or sister).
Here are some encouraging news and percentages; A survey of facts, conducted in early 2009, reported that 5 years after a major organ transplant, the patient succeeds and lives a happy and productive life (thanks to an organ donor). The successful number of those who succeed in 5 years is as follows: patients undergoing heart transplantation are close to 75%; Liver transplantation accounts for a very close second, just below 74%; and then the kidneys (70%) and lungs (50%).
According to the latest census survey, there are about 95 million people in the United States over the age of 50. Think for a moment how many lives can be saved if each of these people joins the organ of the donor. If you think that you or your relatives have suffered from hidden payments at any time, you are mistaken. The cost of registering you as an organ / tissue donor is completely FREE. There are unseemly places that will sell human organs for profit, but in the United States there are very strict rules in this area.
This is one of the cases when more than 50 years is a benefit, not discrimination. Good health is not required at registration; It is not evidence of a physical exam or medical history. The ability to donate is determined by the time of death. Most individual and large organized religious groups support and encourage organ donation after death. He is considered the last act of generosity and pure love for another person.
The donor of living organs is usually found between family and dear friends and rarely among strangers. The ideal candidate is usually between the ages of 18 and 60. Since we usually have two, the kidneys are the most common type of organ donated alive. We can live healthy and function normally if we donate a share of the liver, part of a healthy pancreas, or share some of our intestines. A living donor will have to fulfill certain requirements in order to qualify for donations, for example: physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy. If you have or currently have high blood pressure, diabetes, any kidney or coronary disease, or any type of cancer, you will automatically disqualify yourself as a living donor.
As always, we want to provide you with all the information available to you to make an informed decision. A living donor will have to undergo sedation, serious surgery and assume all the risks that may arise from any operation (for example, infection, negative side effects for anesthesia, etc.). Do not forget the recovery time, the hospital stay, and the medications you will need to take to reduce the risk of any potential infections.
A living donor must also take into account the psychological aspects of such a charitable act of kindness. Being depressed or feeling anxious after surgery is very common; tribulation is usually inevitable if the body of the recipient rejects the organ. The United Organ Distribution Network strongly recommends that anyone, considering that he is a living donor, has a strong support system to help them cope with the psychological complications that may arise.
The beneficiary insurance company will cover all medical expenses directly related to the donation. Keep in mind that this will not cover lost wages, transportation costs, and also before and after the physical donation exams. As mentioned earlier, and in accordance with the laws of the United States on the regulation of organs and tissues, no donor can accept monetary compensation for donating any of their organs.
You can still ask why I must register to be an organ / tissue donor. This is a simple question to answer; because you, as only one person, can be able to save 8 lives!
