Articles

Organ Donations

Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for an organ transplant and unfortunately, some people won’t receive one. In the US, about 20 people die daily due to the lack of suitable organs.

Sometimes people are uneasy about organ donation and have questions, so I thought I would address some concerns:

  • Some people believe organ donation is against their religion. Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most religions, including the Catholic religion.
  • Many states allow people younger than 18 to register as organ donors, but the final decision remains the responsibility of the parents/legal guardian. If you are under 18 and would like to become an organ donor, talk to your family and ask for their consent.
  • There is no defined cutoff age for donating organs. The decision to use your organs is based on medical criteria, not age, so being older does not disqualify you. At the time of death, it will be determined whether your organs and tissues are suitable.
  • Even if you are not in the best of health, you may still qualify to donate organs. Some organs may not be suitable for transplant, while other organs/tissues may be fine. At the time of death, it will be determined whether your organs are suitable for transplantation.
  • You can donate a kidney to anyone, not just family members. If you decide to become a living donor, you will be required to undergo extensive questioning so you know the risks and that your decision to donate is not based on financial gain. You will also need to undergo testing to determine you are healthy enough to live with one kidney.
  • There are no associated costs for donating an organ. Costs for organ removal go the transplant recipient.
  • If you are an ethnic minority, it is especially important to consider becoming an organ donor since minorities may have certain conditions that affect vital organs. Certain blood types might also be prevalent in these populations.

Becoming an organ donor is easy. You can indicate it in the following ways:

  • Register with your state’s donor registry. Most states have registries. Check the list at organdonor.gov.
  • Designate your choice on your driver’s license when you obtain or renew your license.
  • Tell your family. Make sure your family knows your wishes regarding donation.

The best way to ensure your wishes are carried out is to register with your state’s organ donation registry and include donor designation on your driver’s license or state ID. These steps legally authorize your organ donation upon death. It’s also important to tell your family you want to be a donor. Hospitals seek consent from the next of kin before removing organs (although this is not required) if you’re registered with your state’s donor registry or have donor designation on your driver’s license or state ID card.

Being an organ donor can make a big difference, and not just to one person. By donating your organs/tissue after you die, you can save or improve as many as 75 lives. Many families say knowing their loved one helped save or improve other lives helped them cope with their loss.

On May 4, 2023, Thursday, from 11:00-12:00pm St. Therese will host a Gift of Life presentation on Organ Donation. Please join us for the lecture and a light lunch.  RSVP to the Parish Office at 586-254-4433 or Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse at 586-254-4433 Ext #320 or via email at Marilync@stol.church.

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