April is National Donate Life Month, which highlights the “opportunity of a lifetime” to become an organ and tissue donor. By enrolling on the organ donor registry, donors give legal consent to the ultimate “gift of life” — the donation of his or her organs, tissues and eyes in the event of the person’s passing.
As a health educator at Montefiore Health System in Bronx, New York, I have dedicated my life to spreading awareness for organ and tissue donation, and to enrolling new donors. I’ve broached the subject of organ and tissue donation with many potential donors, fielding the various questions and concerns that arise.
I have also had the pleasure of following a person in need and witnessing his or her life turn around as they receive the gift of life. Sadly, however, I’ve also had to say goodbye to those who did not receive this gift in time. On average, 22 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant.
Through my daily work, I have learned so much about the power of organ donation and the exponential impact this lifesaving gift has on others. I’ve also learned that the most effective means of passing on life through donation is to educate people while they’re still healthy. In the heat of a crisis, it’s difficult to consider organ donation on behalf of your loved ones. Take the burden off your family members, and consider being an organ donor today.
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April’s National Donate Life Month encourages donors to allow for their beautiful legacy to continue in their memory. Each organ, tissue and eye donor can save up to eight lives and enhance more than 50 lives through tissue donation.
According to the Division of Transplantation within the Department of Health & Human Services, there are more than 119,000 men, women and children on the national transplant waiting list, and every 10 minutes, another person is added to this list.
Additionally, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network reported a new record for organ transplants in the United States in 2016 — more than 33,500 organs were donated that year. Thus far in 2017, 8,365 organ transplants have been completed.
Here are several crucial questions and answers that are important to discuss with your family and loved ones when considering organ, tissue and eye donation.
Who can be an organ and tissue donor?
Virtually anyone can become a donor, regardless of age, race or medical history. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated for transplant or scientific research.
If I register my consent to donate these severely needed organs, eyes and tissues, will I be denied critical medical care?
No. Donation is only considered after all efforts to save the patient have failed and the patient has died. Strict legal procedures are followed, and the physicians who treat a patient are not involved with transplantation.
What parts of the body can be donated?
Organs that can be donated are the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. Additionally, the eyes and corneas can be donated, as well as select tissues, including: bone, skin, heart valves, tendons and veins.
Is there any cost associated with donating?
There is no cost to your estate or to your family if you donate your organs, tissues and/or eyes.
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Will donation preclude an open casket funeral?
An open casket funeral is possible for organ, tissue and eye donors. Through the entire donation process, the body is treated with care, respect and dignity.
Is my religious faith against donation?
Donation is supported by all major religions. Any questions regarding religion and donation should be directed to the individual’s religious leader.
How do I register to become a donor?
By enrolling in your state’s organ donation registry, a person is giving legal consent for the removal of organs, eyes and tissues for purposes of transplantation and /or research. A completed enrollment form serves as legal consent for donation upon a person’s death. The family will be informed of the decision for donation and provided information regarding the donation process (no additional authorization or consent is required to proceed with donation).
To register to become a donor, please visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service organ donor website.
What can be done to narrow the gap?
In 2007, to help raise awareness of the critical need for more donors, Montefiore launched its Organ and Tissue Donation Initiative. This initiative represents Montefiore’s dedication to promoting human life and dignity through organ and tissue donation. The vision of this initiative is to ensure that everyone waiting for an organ or tissue transplant receives one, and that everyone who wants to be an organ/tissue donor has taken the proper steps to indicate their desire. Our mission is to celebrate life by enhancing organ and tissue donation for transplantation. Montefiore believes that by creating an organ/tissue donation-friendly culture in the workplace, its employees will have a positive attitude about donation and feel comfortable talking about it, becoming ambassadors throughout the Bronx and their circle of influence, and thereby impacting future potential organ/tissue donors and their families.
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Initiatives such as ours at Montefiore can have impactful results. For example, Montefiore’s efforts have played a key role in the number of Bronx residents registering with NYS Donor Registry. In 2008, there were roughly 5,000 consenting donors on the NYS Donor Registry. Together, with groups such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, voting polls and organ procurement organizations, in 2015, NYS increased our numbers to nearly 25,000 consenting donors. Additionally, more than 350 Montefiore associates have signed up onto the New York State Donate Life registry during our new associate orientation alone.
While we’re continuing to increase enrollment and donors, this awareness campaign is far from over. Nationally, more needs to be done to raise awareness. In the United States, 95 percent of adults support organ donation, but only 48 percent are actually signed up as donors.
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Why You Should Sign Up for the Organ Donor Registry Today originally appeared on usnews.com
