Organ Donation

Organs such as the kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and liver can be transplanted from one person into another person who is in need of a new organ. Organ donation can give others a second chance at life.

What is the information for this topic?

Organ donors are people in good health who have died or have been declared brain dead. Most organ donors are victims of accidents that cause fatal head injuries, such as car accidents or gunshot wounds. The organs can be preserved only a short period of time, usually several hours, before being transplanted into the recipient, or person in need of the new organ. Usually many organs are removed from the brain dead donor. There may be 2 or 3 teams of surgeons who operate on the donor at the same time. After the organs are removed, they are packed for transport to the recipient. The donor's chest and abdomen are sewn up and normal preparations for a funeral take place.

Organs that can be transplanted include:

Tissues and other structures can be donated as well. These include:

Persons who want to donate organs after they die can sign a card to indicate their wishes. This can be done when they renew their driver's license or by filling out a donor card. Several donor organizations provide these cards.

Family members should be told about a person's wishes so that they know ahead of time. Families are usually asked to allow the donation. Their decision is easier if they know that the person wanted to donate organs. Many families are comforted by the fact that their loss can help give someone else a new life.

A person with cancer or an infection in the blood known as sepsis would not be able to be an organ donor. Anyone who has HIV or whose behavior places them at risk for HIV would not be allowed to donate organs. Other rules for donors exist, depending on the organ being donated. These will be handled at the time of death.

An organ donor has to be declared brain dead before organ donation is considered. In order to do this, a doctor must determine that the brain has permanently lost its ability to function. That is, without medications and a ventilator, death will occur quickly.

Some facts about organ donation:

Organ donation can extend and enhance lives. Medical advances continue to make organ transplants safer and more effective. Unfortunately, the number of organs donated has not increased at the same pace. In the US each day roughly 55 people receive an organ transplant. However, 10 people die each day waiting for a donated organ. There are over 67,000 people in the US waiting for organs. Most Americans approve of organ donation, but too few give this gift of life to others. An increase in the number of persons willing to donate is urgently needed.