What You Need to Know About Organ Donation

What You Need to Know About Organ Donation
December 08 05:55 2018 Print This Article

 

Organ donation is perhaps one of the most controversial topics ever to be discussed. For starters, organ donation involves removing an organ from a person, called the donor, and then transferred to another person, called the recipient, through surgery. Organ donation and transplantation may be needed, especially when the recipient’s specific body organ has been damaged due to injury or an effect of a disease.

Organ donors can be anyone regardless of age, but will be determined whether they are medically suitable to donate a body organ after the supposed donor’s death. Common organs and tissues that can be donated and transplanted include the liver, kidney, lung, heart and heart valves, intestine, bone and bone marrow, cornea, and connective tissues to name a few.

Still, organ donors are badly needed around the world. In fact, statistics reveal that in the US, about 21 people end up dying each day while waiting for organ donation and transplant that would supposedly save their lives.

Types of organ donation

There are different types of organ donation, which are the following:

  1. Living donation – Organ donation can be done even if the donor is alive, of which the organs that can be donated include kidneys or a small section of your lung or liver.
  2. Donation following circulatory death (DCD) – Occurs when the person is considered dead due to irreversible loss of heart and lung function following cardiac arrest.
  3. Donation following brain death (DBD) – Occurs when the person is considered “brain-dead” following irreversible brain injury and is kept alive through oxygen.

Organ Donation Process

 

There are ways on how to become a donor. For one, you can join a donor registry, which gives authorities or institutions the consent to donate your body organs as a “gift” to those who badly need it. Prior to the transplant, doctors will determine whether the donor and recipient match according to body size and even genetic makeup depending on the body organ that will be donated.

The body organ(s) intended for donation should be removed shortly after the donor’s death. This is to ensure the organ’s viability. Ideally, organs and tissues should be removed from the dead person’s body within 12 to 24 hours. In return, the deceased person’s funeral arrangements won’t be affected with the organ donation procedure.

Usually, it’s required that you’re at least 18 years old and above to be an eligible organ donor. Organ donation can be done whether the donor is dead or alive. More importantly, you should inform your loved ones of your selfless decision.

It’s also important to know that there is no cost to be an organ donor. In fact, selling or buying organs and tissues is generally considered illegal. Rather, it’s a gift of life, especially to those who need it to extend their lives. As for the donor, it won’t affect the quality of medical care you will receive in the future. Likewise, the donor and his/her relatives will not be forced to donate organs.

If you want to know more how to become a donor, you can sign up to organ donation organizations near your area, so you give a part of you to others even after you have passed on.

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Clare Louise
Clare Louise

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