Wanted Dead or Alive: Organ Donor Organ donation is something people don’t know enough about; therefore, they chose not to donate. The mistrust of the medical profession has dissuaded, and led, many people to the conclusion that organ donation dead or alive is not for them, but are they right? Is the media and/ or other outlets robbing innocent people of a second chance at life? Do you know what it means to be an organ donor? What it truly means to give someone a part of you? Most people don’t. I recently saw a television show that discussed organ donation, and; It got me thinking, who can be an organ donor? What could someone donate dead or alive? How many lives could one person save? What happens to a donor after life? And lastly …show more content…
Most television shows have to tell a complete story in an hour or less, and as a result they don't show an accurate and/ or the complete process of organ donation. According to the New York Times article The Reluctant Organ Donor, 50 percent of respondents are concerned that doctors will not try as hard to save them if they are known to be an organ donor. Despite what patients may think, a doctor's number one priority is to save lives. The doctor treating patients in the hospital is separate from the people who actually do the transplant. Doctors don't even notify the transplant team until all lifesaving efforts has failed and death has been determined. However, you still may wonder what if I donate, will I still be able to have an open casket? And according to my research the answer is yes! Doctors take care of your body, and usually an open casket funeral is possible evan if you are donating organs, eyes and tissue. Now Imagine, two friends just saw their favorite band playing in concert. The friends are now both on the way home. Music is playing loud and the friends are singing on the top of their lungs. The road is dark, but the friends are having a blast and enjoying the night. Suddenly, a deer runs onto the road. The friends are reported to have been in a fatal car accident. Person one is a donor, and person
Since that time donation has been the only way to increase the current supply of transplantable organs. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of organ donation due to misconceptions and lack of knowledge. In fact, organ transplant recipient Dr. Phil H. Berry, Jr. points out that there would be less deaths of people waiting for transplants, “if Americans would overcome their reluctance to become organ donors” (29). Organ donation whether it is upon your death or giving a part of a liver or one kidney while you are alive is a charitable gesture towards your fellow man and could give meaning to the end of your life. The mere act of donating could bring more peace to your loved ones at the time of your death and as a result, you could give
First of all, everyone should be an organ donor because once you have died there is no need for your organs therefore rather than wasting useful organs they could be used to save another’s life. Statistics show that a single tissue donation can improve lives of 40 people and an organ can save 8. Donating your organs gives others an opportunity for a new life. In addition, after death, they would not be affected in any way with their organs gone and their families wouldn’t have an issue regarding this either because there is no cost. Once a person has deceased, hospitals notify the Organ Procurement Organizations and or Tissue/ Eye banks of death. The organs or tissues then get tested to determine whether the body will accept the organs or not. This step ensures considerably lower risks of the receiving patient’s body rejecting the organ or tissue. Donating
Organ Transplants are an extensive and complicated process, but the results are life changing to the person receiving and even donating their organs. There are two types of donors, living and deceased. Deceased donation is when a patient in the hospital dies, is declared brain dead, and it either in the donor registry or is appointed to be a donor by next of kin. Deceased donors must have, “irreversible loss of all functions of the brain, including the brain stem” (Consent 1) in order for patients to be considered as donors. Patients in comas will never be permitted to donate organs because their brains are still functioning. Deceased donors must be placed on a ventilator in order to keep blood and oxygen flowing through their organs, which
Today I will explain the need for organ donors, how you can become an organ donor, and finally, how ones decisions can and is affecting society.
Thesis Statement: Becoming an organ donor after death is not only an important decision for yourself, but it is also an important decision for the life that you may have the power to save.
Donating an organ, whether it is before or after dead, is seen by society as the right thing to do, but at what cost. Being asked to become an organ donor right before getting our license is almost always a yes. Death is one of the farthest things from our mind and when we are asked this question we would rather live life knowing our organs could be used to save someone’s life. But this simple checkmark or heart can sometimes be used against us; because there are so many people waiting for an organ, doctors have been given the ability to stretch the fine line between life and death. Not signing the donor card can gives us a few more bargaining space. Although both Crystal Lombardo and Dick Teresi speak about the effects of organ donation, Lombardo, author of “11 Major Pros And Cons Of Organ Donation”, points out the importance of becoming an organ donor, while Teresi, author of “What You Lose When You Sign That Donor Card”, describes the complications between doctor and patient.
We have an organ donor enigma in the U.S., as more than record number of Americans support organ donation, but half are registered to donate. This year, thousands of Americans will die needlessly for a need of an organ. As the demand for organs is increasing, it is essential to implement policies and strategies to improve organ supply.
Flashback to when you were sixteen years old. Young, naive, and about to be ruling the streets with your very own Driver’s License. You passed your written and physical driving exams, but before you are able to get your “right of passage”, you must indicate whether or not you are willing to donate your organs in the case of your death. But how does one know which box to check? It is your responsibility to educate yourself in the matter because ignorance is not always bliss. Knowing the costs, benefits, and process can be very beneficial. Luckily, the following is some basic, and maybe not so basic, information on the topic. Organ Donation is a very broad and complicated topic. To consider organ, and tissue, donation as a whole, it is important to examine the history, forms, and big picture of the donation.
You might have wondered about donating an organ -- either to a friend or relative who needs an organ right now, or by filling out an organ donor card. Before you decide to become an organ donor, here is some important information you need to consider.
“Organ donation is not a tragedy, but it can be a beautiful light, in the midst of one” (Unknown). There has been many disbeliefs about donating your organs over the years. The organ demand drastically exceeds the available supply, which is why more people need to be organ donors. People should become organ donors because of the limited availability of organs and the chance to save many lives.
From an early age, I knew that I would be an organ donor, and when I turned sixteen I began participating in blood drives at my high school. Donating blood became routine, something that my husband and I continue to do together. The reason behind why I donate blood is because it would be quite selfish of me to deny someone, even a complete stranger the gift of life when I am fully capable of giving it. However, the sad reality is that many Americans choose not to participate in organ donation of any kind. Organs from cadavers often discarded if the family fails to make arrangements for them to be donated prior to the deceased being removed from life support. These types of situations significantly
According to United Network for Organ Sharing (2010) organ donations and transplantation are the removal of organs and tissues from one person and placed into another person’s body. The need for organ transplantation usually occurs when the recipient organ has failed (UNOS, 2010). Organ donation can save the lives of many individuals who are on the waiting list for an organ donation. Becoming an organ donor can be a difficult decision. Many people have the false beliefs about being an organ donor. An example would be if organ donor is on their driver’s license and a person is in a life-threatening accident everything will not be done to save their life. There is an increase need for organ donors and unfortunately the need for organ
Main Point 2: Myths, we have all heard some, we have all believed some. But right now, I am going to set the record straight about some of the misconceptions surrounding organ donation. Organdonor.gov will tell you about many facts and myths about organ donation. So let’s start with money. I’m sure you have all heard that when a someone donates their organs, their family has to foot the bill for all it. That is completely false. There is no cost to donors or their families for organ or tissue donation. Hence the word “donation”. The donor won’t be able to have
In 1954 the first organ transplant in history took place in the United States. Over the past few decades, thousands of people have had the ability to be a recipient of a transplanted kidney, heart, pancreas, liver, or another solid organ in the United States and throughout the world. These people have been able to extend their lives and have had the opportunity to have their health enhanced as a result of an organ transplantation. Organ donation is a significantly selfless way to give back to the world, making a huge difference in not just one but possibly multiple people and giving them a second chance by prolonging their lives. Most commonly donations occur from those that give consent after death, but there are also opportunities to donate while living. Importantly, people should be educated on the shortage there is for donations globally but they should also be aware of how many people can be impacted by the action of checking the box when receiving a driver’s license. The donation of organs is not only an important decision for yourself, but it is also an important decision for the life that you may have the power to save. The power of organ donation can not only save lives but there is a satisfaction of giving while alive or whether you wait until you leave the world. The need for organ donors is growing and the act is very simple.
What if the donors can be paid to donate their organs to the patients awaiting the transplant? Gary S. Becker and Julio J. Elias