Unless you have ever needed an organ transplant or know someone that has, the issue of organ donation is unlikely to have crossed your radar. However, the website of the Organ Donation Register presents some scary statistics about the reality of the situation. It claims that more than 10,000 people in the UK currently need a transplant. Of these, 1000 die each year waiting, as there are not enough available.
Organ Donation is simply the process of someone donating their organs for transplant, usually once they have passed away. They are given to someone who’s own organs are failing and can often save their life. One donor can help a number of people as multiple organs can be donated including the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and research is constantly being carried out to investigate further organs that are viable for donation. As well as organs, tissue can also be donated which includes the harvesting of skin, bone, tendons and cartilage. There is no age limit to becoming a donor. Organs from donors in there 70’s and 80’s have successfully been transferred, as it is physical condition as opposed to age that determines whether organs are suitable.
The main problem with organ donation is that very few people are signed up to the Register. Without this commitment, families are often unsure of the wishes of their loved ones and there is only a short time in which organ’s are viable for donation. Organs must be transferred within 24 hours of a donor’s death. If you are interested in becoming a donor HCX cannot urge you enough to sign up – it takes minutes and has he potential to save numerous lives. Below we have compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages and some opinions that may sway your decision.
[pagebreak]
Advantages
- It has the ability to save the lives of people who would probably not survive otherwise. It has been reported that the organs of one individual can help as many as fifty others.
- It can help a family overcome their grief if they know that the death of their loved one has given numerous other people a life.
- It lowers health costs – many patients that require organ transplants have constant care and medication that can cost a huge amount of money. Organ donation means they no longer need this support.
- Most Organ Donations take place once a patient has passed away so it has no direct impact on their life.
Disadvantages
- If the donor is alive, an operation to harvest an organ is likely to be a major operation and carries the associated risk of any surgery.
- The donation is not always successful and when an organ is implanted there is a chance that the patient can reject the new organ. This can be disheartening for the donor and the patient and may mean they have to take antirejection medication for the rest of their life.
Opinions
- “I don’t believe that I’ll have any use for my body once I’m dead so if there’s a chance that it can save someone else then that’s great.” Second year English Student at Exeter.
- “The gift that has been given to me says much about our capacity for great compassion and generosity, and I hope it sends an inspring message to others about the importance of organ donation,” Steven Cojocaru, Canadian Fashion Critic.
- “We know from research that most people in the UK support organ donation but only 24% of us have taken that next vital step of joining the ODR. I hope these powerful images prompt more people to do so and discuss their wishes with their family.” Chris Rudge, UK Transplant’s Managing Director in relation to the release of a new campaign.
If you want to find out more about organ donation or want to ‘give the gift of life’ sign up at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
Source: http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_601…
Image Credits: files.coloribus.com, savillacreations.files.wordpress.com, www2.warwick.ac.uk