Consider Organ Donation

by Kerry Thomas

April 17, 2003

April 21-27 is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in the United States. It is designed to make the general public more aware of the need for donated organs to help preserve life. Organ donation can be from a living person in some cases, or from someone who has just passed away.

In the case of a deceased donor, for the donor it is a painless procedure. It may be emotionally painful for the donor's relatives, who will be asked to consent to any organ donmation, but they may be partially comforted by knowing that their gift, the gift of life, will help someone else and their family in their time of great need. It is a selfless act of generousity, at least in the United States, where it is illegal to sell organs.

Choosing to become a candidate for organ donation is as simple as signing the back of your driver's license or a uniform donor card, available at most medical centers. Once the decision is made to become a candidate for donation, that decision should be shared with the family, to make them aware that that is your wish, that you do wish to give the gift of life upon your own death. Ultimately, it will be the doctors who will determine if your organs can be used for transplantation, but it makes their job much easier if you make it known that you do wish to be considered for organ donation.

Organ donation is the ultimate form of recycling. You should enjoy your organs while you need them, but once you no longer have a need of your organs, why not consider leting someone else use them for a while. There is a saying in the transplant community: "Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here."

If you're interested in learning more facts and stats on organ donation and transplantation, may I suggest the National Kidney Foundation's website: www.kidney.org

On a personal note, I received a dual organ transplant operation on July 31, 1991, when I received two new organs, actually slightly used, a kidney and a pancreas. Now, nearly twelve years later, I am still going strong, thanks to the unselfish generousity of an anonymous family. In that year I was one of 169 people nationwide who recieved both a kidney and pancreas. Last year there were 911 of these same procedures, and more than 13,000 single kidney transplants.

But in the meantime, another 79,000 people are awaiting organs for transplantation. Nearly 3,000 people are added to the waiting lists every month. And every day 16 to 17 people will die while waiting for organs.

Not everyone can be an organ donor. But will you please at least consider the idea, talk it over with your family and friends, and consider giving of yourself one last time, giving the gift of life. Thank you.