Organ donation is a noble thing to do, but it is not for everybody. There are different ways of donating organs. Firstly, there is the anonymous donor card, which means medical professionals are allowed to use your organs in the event of your death to help other patients. The second type is if you willingly donate an organ – such as kidney or bone marrow – to a relative or friend because they need it. As stated, organ donation isn’t for everybody and you must firstly weigh up the pros and cons before deciding which of the two options you want to go for, if any.
Organ Donation Facts
Firstly, there are a few things to know about organ donation. The first thing is that you are never too old. You can sign up from birth – under power of attorney – until the age of around 65. Also, if you live in a country where you have to pay for medical treatment, you or your family do not have to bear the cost of donation. Thirdly, in the US alone, some 90,000 people require an organ donation every month. Some 20 people a month die who could have been saved should an organ have become available. Almost every part of your body can be donated, including organs such as your lungs, kidneys, liver, heart, intestines and pancreas, but also your skin and your eyes. In fact, in 95% of the case where an eye is donated, the receiver regains sight.
Cons of Organ Donation
There are a lot of reasons against organ donation. For many, these objections are for religious reasons, which cannot be changed. Others may have family beliefs that stop them from donating, which may be more up for discussion. It is also well document that many people want to be cryogenically preserved after death and be returned to life in the future if possible, which would be impossible if organs have been donated. Some people also worry that if a doctor knows they are an organ donor, they will work less hard at saving them because they want the organs for other patients.
Organ Donation Benefits
All the organ donation benefits can be summed up in one simple statement: you are giving someone the chance of life. You will be a hero, whether anonymous or not. If you can donate an organ such as a kidney to a family member or friend, offering a chance of life to this person through your selfless act, you will truly be someone very special. If you donate your organs after death, you can save countless lives of people that you may not even know. But they will know that they are alive because somebody was good enough to be part of the community of organ donors upon their death. One of the most impressive organ donation facts is that donating a single organ could positively affect the life of up to 50 people?
In essence, deciding whether or not you want to be an organ donor is a personal decision. You should never be talked into organ donation persuasion, as it is a completely personal decision that nobody can take away from you. You must also consider the organ donation side effects, particularly if you donate organs while still being alive. Donating a kidney, for instance, is an invasive procedure that carries organ donation risks with it, and it also means that you are more likely to require a new kidney yourself at some point, since you only have one remaining kidney. Hence, do make sure you read up on all the organ donation information you can find before making this decision and never take it lightly.
Before deciding to donate an organ you can start small and donate blood.