Organ Donation
Transplantation is one of the most remarkable success stories in the history of medicine. It porvides hope to thousands of people with organ failure. In addition, transplanted tissue offers hundreds of thousands of people active and renewed lives. But transplantation requires the commitment of organ and tissue donors. Unfortunatly, the need for donors is much greater then the numbers of people who actually donate.
Almost 90,000 Americans are waiting for life-saving organ transplants and hundreds of thousands more could benefit from tissue transplants.
| Myth | Fact |
| If the emergency room doctors know you're an organ donor, they won't work as hard to save you. | If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered if you die and after your family has been consulted. |
| When your're waiting for a transplant your financial or celebrity status is as important as your medical status. | When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type and other important medical information. |
| Having "organ donor" noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor card is all you have to do to become a donor. | While a signed donor card is a legal document for organ/tissue recovery, it is important that you share your decision to donate LIFE with your family. |
Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new chance at healthy, productive, and normal lives and return them to their families, friends and communities. You have the power to change someone's world by being an organ and tissue donor.
| Facts about Organ and Tissue Donation |
| People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselved potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated. |
| Donated organs, including the heart, pancreas, kidneys, liver, lungs and intestines restore life. |
| Tissue is needed to replace bone, tendons and ligaments lost to trauma, cancer and other diseases in order to improve strength, mobility and independence. Corneas are needed to restore sight. Skin grafts help burn patients heal and often mean the difference between life and death. Heart valves repair cardiac defects and damage. |
| All major religions suport organ and tissue donation as an unselfish act of charity. |
| There is no cost to the donor's family or estate for organ and tissue donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death and for funeral expenses. |
| It is illegal to buy or sell organs and tissue for transplantation in the United States. |
| It is possible to donate life to others as a living kidney or partial liver, lung, or pancreas donor. |
This information is provided by The Coalition on Donation. For more information please view their web site at www.donatelife.net
For more information about donating LIFE in North Carolina go to:www.carolinadonorservices.org
