Myth: I heard about this guy who went to a party, and woke up the next morning in a bathtub full of ice. His kidneys were stolen for sale on the black market! Fact: This tale has been widely circulated over the Internet. There is absolutely no evidence of such activity ever occurring in the U.S. While the tale may sound credible, it has not basis in the reality of organ transplantation. Many people who hear the myth probably dismiss it, but it is possible that some believe it and decide against organ donation out of needless fear. Reference: Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN).
Myth: Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list, while 'regular' people have to wait a long time for a transplant. Fact: The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to name, celebrity or social status, or wealth. When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information. Reference: (OPTN). While many cases of celebrities receiving transplants are reported by the media, celebrities have to wait in line just like everyone else. It is often forgotten that some celebrities have died waiting in line for a transplant. NFL star Walter Payton, for example, died awaiting a liver transplant.
Myth:If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows I want to be a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life! Fact: Emergency responders and healthcare workers are committed to saving lives. If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. The medical team treating you is separate from the transplant team. The team coordinating the donation is not notified until all lifesaving efforts have failed and death has been determined. The transplant team would not be notified until your family has consented to donation.
Myth:My religion does not approve of donation. Fact: All organized religions support donation or the individual's personal choice for donation, typically considering it a generous act that is the individual's choice. You should contact your clergy for more information regarding your denomination's position on donation.
Myth:I don't want my family to have to pay if I want to donate my organs. Fact: The donor's family (or their insurance company) is only responsible for paying for medical care up to the point of death. Once death occurs, any expenses related to organ or tissue donation are covered by the recipient's insurance so there will be no charges to the donor's estate or the donor's family.
Occasionally, the hospital's billing system may make an unfortunate mistake and the donor's family may be accidentally billed for services related to donation. If this occurs, the donor's family should contact the hospital and/or the organ procurement organization. The OPO is the team that coordinates donation.
Myth:If I donate, I would worry that the recipient and/or the recipient's family would discover my identity and cause more grief for my family. Fact: Information about the donor is released by the team that coordinates the donation to the recipients only if the family that donated requests it be provided.
Myth:I have a history of medical illness. You would not want my organs or tissues. Fact: At the time of death, the team that coordinates donation will review medical and social histories to determine donor suitability on a case-by-case basis. Many diseases that were once considered to exclude organ donation are no longer considered a barrier. Examples include hepatitis and diabetes. Organ viability will be determined at death. Everyoe, regardless of health history, has the opportunity to give the gift of life.
Myth: I am not the right age for donation. Fact: Age limits for organ donation no longer exist. Organs may be donated from someone as young as a newborn and as old as 90. The liver, in particular, does not age like other organs and livers are commonly donated by people in their 70's and 80's.
Myth: I heard that they take everything, even if I only want to donate my eyes. Fact: You may specify which organs you want donated. Your wishes will be followed.
Myth: Organ and tissue donation means my body will be mutilated and treated badly. Fact: Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation doesn't disfigure the body or change the way it looks in a casket. Normal funeral arrangements are possible.
Myth:I've heard something about for-profit organ or tissue donation agencies. What is that all about? Fact: It is illegal in the United States to buy or sell human organs or tissue. Organ procurement organizations oversee the donation process for human organs. OPOs are non-profit.
Tissue recovery agencies recover human tissues--skin, bone, veins, heart valves and connective tissue such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage. Unlike organs, tissue has to be "processed" before it can be used. The processing is performed by an organization that may be for-profit or non-profit. the controversy is the concept of these organizations "profiting" from processing human tissue. In the tissue processing industry, the argument against for-profit tissue processing organizations is the "commodification" of the human body and the notion of people profiting from others' deaths and donation of their tissue. The argument for for-profit tissue processing organizations is that these organizations are able to direct more money into research and development and find more uses for tissue, resulting in being able to help more people.
Question:Why does my decision involve my family? It's a personal decision to be a donor. Answer: Very often, a signed license or donor card can't be found at the time when someone may be eligible for donation, so family members are approached by donation representatives. Sharing your decision will relieve your family of the burden of making the decision for you at a very traumatic time. When families talk about donation, it ensures that the decisions made at the time of death are the ones that were desired. The new donor registries allow for immediate access to your intent, which assists the family and the donation professionals.
Question:May I designate where or to whom my organs may be donated? Answer: You may direct a donation to someone with whom you have a family or community connection. You cannot, however, restrict your donation to anyone based on their religion, race, age or reason for their disease. Your options would be to donate or not to donate.
TransWeb.orgis a good site for additional information.
Thanks to the Wisconsin Donor Network for the training information used on this page. You too can spread the message of the need for organ & tissue donor registration! Contact your local OPO or Donate Life organization for details.