Organ Donation: Types, Misconceptions And Benefits

The death of a person waiting for a transplant could be avoided if only, more people were aware of organ donation. There are several types of organ and tissue donation, these are divided into a living donation and deceased donation. Organ donation offers many benefits to society. However, even though organ donation is encouraged many people still have misconceptions and doubts about the procedure. Reading this report will allow you to identify all the benefits, types, misconceptions of organ donations and perhaps motivate you to register ahead of time so more lives can be saved.

INTRODUCTION

According to Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) 2019, every 10 minutes another person is added to the national transplant waiting list. The previous source also states that 20 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. Transplantation is the replacement of a diseased organ by a healthy one. Generally, the replacement of a diseased organ is necessary because the organ has failed or has been damaged by a disease or an injury. However, this medical treatment can only be achieved by the solidarity of others since without donations, there are no transplants.

Organ donation is a surgical procedure that consists of removing an organ or tissue from one person and placing it into another. No matter the age or the background, everyone has the choice to become a donor. Babies as well senior citizens can become donors, of course, donors under 18 required authorizations from their parents or legal guardians.

This procedure is considered to be one of the greatest acts of solidarity because a person gives for free a body part to someone who needs it due to an illness. Thanks to donation thousands of people are given a second chance to live a healthier life. Even though organ donation is a very common and knows medical procedure most of the people still have doubts. The following report has the purpose of answering all the frequently questions relate to this topic. More lives could be saved is people register for donation ahead of time.

ORGAN DONATION TYPES

When we think about organ donation usually, the first idea that comes to our mind is the transplant of the principal’s organs (Lungs, heart, liver, etc.) form a dead person to a living one. This idea is not wrong at all, however, not only our organs are eligible for donation, but our tissue and cornea can also save lives. According to the origin of the organ or the tissue, transplants that can be performed from a living donor or deceased donor.

While most donations occur after the donor has died, organs like the kidney and a part of our liver can be donated while the donor is alive. Due to the high compatibility of the organs, this type of donation is most common in a family environment and is known as a direct donation. Even though for some people becoming a living donor is a scary choice, this type of procedure guarantees that the surgery will not represent any health problem for the donor, however, surgeries always have a low rate of complications.

Other organs like the heart, lung, and intestine can only be obtained from deceased donors. Whose dead has been caused due to brain death or in irreversible cardiac arrest. This type of donation is the one we are more familiar with, nonetheless, most of the people don’t know that cornea and tissue can also be extracted after the donor’s death.

According to Donate Life America, a cornea transplant can restore the sight of two people no matter the age, eye color or eyesight. In the other hand, tissue donation can heal the lives, 75 people.

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Times plays a major role when it comes to organs donation. Matching organs transplant must be done in a short amour of time for the health of the organ. In the case of a heart transplant, doctors only have 4 to 6 hours. So, you must understate how to value time is.

ORGAN DONATION MISCONCEPTIONS

Even though organ donation is encouraged many people still have misconceptions about the procedure since back in the days it used to be complicated and painful. However, thanks to the development of new technologies and medical procedures living organ donation guarantee the donor that the surgery will not represent any health problem.

One of the most common false belief people often have is that donation is prohibited by religion. When in reality all major religions (Catholic, Christian, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism) see organ donation an act of charity and understand that it’s a decision to be left up to the individual or family. Most people should be aware of their religion position regarding organ donation since transplant are more successful when they matched the same races. However, is always important to investigate and read theological perspectives of your religion about this topic.

Some people also worry that they will be left open after the surgery, or that they won’t be able to have an open casket funeral. None of these misconceptions are true, the donor’s body is treated with respect in the surgery and the same procedures apply to a living body will be applied to a dead one. Even after tissue donation, an open-casket funeral is still possible. Since the donor's body is dressed for burial, so there are no visible signs of the donation.

Last but not least, organ or tissue donation will only be considered after death has been officially declared. Therefore, doctors’ number one priority will still be to save your life no matter if you are a donor.

ORGAN DONATION BENEFITS

Based on Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) 2019 “The 36,527 organ transplants performed in the United States in 2018 set an annual record for the sixth straight year”. This represents a five percent increase over 2017. Nonetheless, according to the organization Donate Life America, an estimated 8,000 Americans still die each year, because they need organ transplants but can’t find donors. 10% of these are children under 18.

Living donation increases the existing organ supply. In other words, it saves two lives in one since the next person on the waiting list is one step closer. Not to mention that living donations offers best quality organs in a short time period which is excellent for the patient.

The decision of becoming a donor may be hard for a few of us since it makes us think about death ahead of time. Nonetheless, we should also evaluate the fact that after we donate, the receiver will live a better life. The complete donations of our organs can save up to eight lives if we don't need our organs once we are dead, why should we deprive some else of using them.

CONCLUSION

Registering for organ donation is a hard decision to make, but at the same time is one of the bravest decisions you will ever make in your life. Organ donation comes in many shapes and forms. Depending on the origin of the organs the donation can be classified into living donation or deceased donation. Depside all the information we might find regarding organ donation, this continues to be a very controversial topic. A big part of society still has misconceptions about this medical procedure. It’s very common to hear the false belief that donation is prohibited by religion when in reality all major religions see organ donation an act of charity. Even though statistics show a successful increase in organ transplant in the last few years. Is sad how each day more people are added to the national transplant waiting list and even sadder how many die waiting for an organ. Be socially responsible and register to be a donor because life is the most valuable gift anybody can give.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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8. TODAY, For FLORIDA. “5 Benefits of Organ Donations.” Florida Today, BrevardCounty, 8 Apr. 2015, www.floridatoday.com/story/life/wellness/2015/04/08/benefits-organ-donations/25461617/.
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