Fast facts for tissue, organ donation staff reports pilotnews@pilotindependent | Posted 18 hours ago 1. Your Life is Always First. If you are taken to a hospital after an accident or injury, it is the hospital’s No. 1 priority to save YOUR life. Your status as a donor is not even considered until every effort has been made to try to save your life and death has been declared. 2. Everyone Has the Potential to be an Organ and Tissue Donor. Your age or health should not prevent you from registering to be an organ or tissue donor. Most health conditions do not prevent donation and age is not a factor – the oldest organ donor was 92 years-old! 3. All Faiths Agree. All major religions in the nation support organ and tissue donation and consider it a generous act of caring. 4. There is No Cost to Your Family. If you decide to be an organ and tissue donor, your family will NOT have to pay for any medical expenses associated with the donation. 5. One Life Can Save Up to 60. One person can save and heal up to 60 lives through organ and tissue donation! 6. Everyone is Equal. When it comes to waiting in line for an organ transplant, we are all created equal. Wealthy or famous individuals cannot and do not get bumped up higher on the national transplant waiting list. Factors such as blood type, body size, location, severity of illness and length of time on the waiting list are used to determine the best candidate for an organ. 7. Your Decision Will Be Honored. When you register to become an organ and tissue donor you are making a legal decision and, even after your death, your decision will be honored. It’s important to talk with your family to make sure they are prepared to honor your decision at the time of your death. 8. If You Don’t Make a Decision, Your Family Will. If you haven’t registered to be an organ and tissue donor your family will be asked to make a decision about donation on your behalf. Therefore, it is incredibly important that you have a conversation about donation and share your wishes with your loved ones. 9. You’ll be Treated With Respect. Organ and tissue donors are heroes and are treated as such. The medical professionals who perform the recovery surgeries treat donors with the utmost respect, just like they would for any other patient. If you and your family were planning on an open casket funeral or viewing, these plans should not be affected by organ and tissue donation. 10. Registering is Easy. Registering to become an organ and tissue donor is simple. You can register right now, online, in Minnesota at DonateLifeMN.org. Or, you can check the box to register to be a donor when you apply for or renew your driver’s license, state identification card or learner’s permit. SOURCE: LifeSource
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 05:38:29 +0000
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