Celebrate the lifesaving and healing gift of transplantation
April is National Donate Life Month. Every year, organizations that focus attention on organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation share the importance of registering organ donors, honor deceased and living donors, and celebrate the lifesaving and healing gift of transplantation.
April 17 was National Blue and Green Day when individuals and businesses are encouraged to display and wear blue and green and to engage in sharing the Donate Life message and promote the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
“Registering your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor takes less than a minute and gives hope to those waiting,” said David Fleming, president and CEO of Donate Life America. “The decision to register as a donor is the beginning of a story that may bring life and healing to more than 75 people, their families and their communities.”
Local resident Rob Grenell recalls his experience with this Gift of Life and provides vital information about organ donation.
“One summer day, my wife, Barbara, and I talked about how grateful we were that at age 55, neither of us had ever had a serious illness,” Grenell said. “And we agreed that if anything ever happened to us, we wanted to be organ donors. And we never gave it another thought.
“Barely six months later, I called the nurse in the ICU and told her Barbara was an organ donor. Now I had to tell that nurse it was time to honor her wish to donate her organs. My wife had developed a sudden, fatal autoimmune disease that took her life too soon.
“Because I was a nurse, I knew about organ donation and had provided information about it for families and civic groups. One thing I always stressed was how large a need there is and how limited is the number of donations available. As I learned later, three different people were recipients of Barbara’s donation of her liver and both kidneys. It is not morbid to think of her organs continuing without her, but it is a blessing to know that others live because of her generosity. Anonymous letters of thanks I received later all said there were simply no words to express their gratitude. That is all I need.
“I was at a recognition ceremony at Mission Hospital some months after my wife was gone. People whose family members had been donors and others who had received organ donations spoke from the heart in moving words. But one young mother came forward with her son of about 7 or 8 years of age. Nervous about speaking in public, she found the strength and words to tell us in a quiet voice that her son, standing at her side, would not have been alive but for the gift of another child’s heart. That moment from 20 years ago, I will never forget.”
Here are facts about being an organ or tissue donor:
▪ Who can donate? All people should consider themselves potential organ and tissue donors – regardless of age, health, race or ethnicity. Don’t rule yourself out. No one is too old or too young to be a deceased donor, and most major religions support donation.
▪ What if I have a health condition? Even with an illness or a health condition, you may be able to donate your organs or tissues upon death. If the situation arises upon death, doctors will examine your organs and determine whether they are suitable for donation. Only a few conditions would prevent a person from becoming a donor – such as active cancer or systemic infection.
▪ At what age can someone become a donor? Newborns and senior citizens into their 90s have been organ donors. The health of your organs is more important than your age.
▪ Does my religion support donations? The act of organ donation enjoys broad support among many religions in the United States. Some major religions have released official statements or policies about donations.
▪ Can I be a living donor? Although most donations come from deceased donors, a few organs (a kidney, part of a liver, lung, pancreas or intestine, and some tissues) can be donated by living donors. Living donors more frequently donate a kidney.
▪ Who can sign up as a donor? All people age 18 and older can register to be an organ, eye and tissue donor. You can choose what you wish to donate, and you can change your status at any time. In many states, people younger than 18 can also register, although their families will have the final say if the occasion arises for donation before they turn 18.
▪ How to sign up to be an organ or tissue donor? You can sign up online at organdonor.gov or your local motor vehicle agency.
▪ Who should know you are a donor? First, and most important of all, tell your family. Discuss your wishes and reasons with them so they will understand and be sure to carry out your plan to give the gift of life when you are gone. Second, tell your doctor. Some people are afraid if they are an organ or tissue donor, they will not receive as good care. That is not true. Whether you are a donor, you will always receive the same quality of care and attention from medical staff.
▪ One other thing to know about: If you become a donor, you will remain anonymous. The family who benefits from your gift will never know your identity. Likewise, your family will also never learn who was the recipient of your gift. But they will know you have given the gift of life, the greatest gift of all.
▪ What about my funeral? You will be able to have a normal funeral if you donate organs. Nothing will be affected or interfere with how you expect your memorial to be carried out.
Learn more about organ donations at donatelife.org, and carolinadonorservices.org, and raising money for transplant-related expenses for children and young adults at Children’s Organ Transplant Organization at COTA.org.