Organ
transplantation holds the promise of life for thousands of
patients with life-threatening conditions and diseases.
The generosity of donor families, who at a time of great
tragedy decide to help others, is immeasurable. However,
the number of patients on the waiting list continues to
increase daily. Currently, more than 98,000 people in the
U.S. await organ transplantation. Eighteen people die
every day because not enough organs are available. You can
help! Just one donor can save many lives.
THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES:
■ In the U.S. last year, more than 26,000 organ
transplants were performed using the gifts for life from
more than 13,200 donors, both living and deceased.
■ More than 7,400 families donated their loved one’s
organs in 2007.
■ In Wisconsin there are currently almost 1,600 people on
the waiting list for an organ transplant.
■ Every 13 minutes a new name is added to the waiting
list.
WHO IS IN NEED?
■ Any one of us could someday be in need of a transplant.
People with diabetes, high blood
pressure, cystic fibrosis and other common illnesses are
on the waiting list.
■ People of all ages are waiting for transplants, in fact
people under the age of 49 make up almost 50 percent of
the waiting list.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
■ Individuals can indicate their desire to be a donor by
including the “orange dot” on their driver’s license or
state ID, or by signing a donor card. Most importantly,
share your commitment to organ and tissue donation by
discussing this fact with your family.
■ Advances in technology allow more people than ever to be
donors, even those over 70 years of age and those with
previous medical conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Why is
organ, eye and tissue donation so important?
Nearly fifteen-hundred
Wisconsin families are waiting for a transplant for a
loved one to stay alive. Eighteen people in this country
die every day because not enough organs are available.
One donor can save or improve the lives of more than fifty
people. Donated organs are used to save the lives of
people with organ failure. Donated corneas restore vision
for the blind. Donated skin, bone and tissue help repair
defects, promote faster healing, save limbs and can save
the lives of those with severe burns. Heart valves give
patients a chance to resume normal life.
What organs and tissues can be transplanted?
Eight organs can be
transplanted: both kidneys, heart, both lungs, liver,
pancreas, and small intestine can be transplanted.
Corneas, bone, heart valves, connective tissue, and skin
are among the tissues that can be transplanted. More than
28,000 organ transplants, 46,000 eye transplants and
750,000 tissue transplants are performed each year in the
United States.
Is there a conflict between saving a person’s life and
donation?
No. Physicians and nurses
do everything possible to save a patient’s life. Only
after they determine that the patient cannot survive does
a recovery team become involved.
Is
organ, eye and tissue donation difficult on the donating
family?
Donation may provide
immediate and long-term consolation, especially in light
of sudden, unexpected circumstances. The family members
of the donor often feel encouraged that something good has
come out of something tragic.
May I
become a donor if I have had cancer?
Yes, it may be possible to
be a donor if you have had cancer. Medical professionals
will assess if your organs and tissues are suitable for
transplantation at the time of donation and they look at
each case on an individual basis.
What is
the age limit for organ, eye and tissue donation?
People of all ages--from
infants to seniors-- may become donors. There are no set
age limits for donation. Again, medical professionals
will evaluate at the time of death whether an individual’s
organs and tissues can be transplanted.
What is
the cost to the donor family?
There is no cost to the
family. All costs for recovery of donated organs, eyes
and tissues are passed on to transplant recipients and
their insurance providers. The donor’s family pays only
for the medical care provided before death and normal
funeral expenses.
Will
donation affect the appearance of the donor?
Great care is taken to
preserve the donor’s appearance through the delicate
surgical procedures that occur during organ and tissue
recovery. Funeral directors work to restore the body for
viewing and visitation. You can still have an open-casket
funeral if that is your choice.
Does my
religion allow donation?
Most major religions in the
U.S. support donation as a gift of life to fellow human
beings.
What
steps do I take to be a donor in Wisconsin?
Say “yes” to donation when
you apply for or renew your Wisconsin Driver’s License or
state-issued ID card. You can also place a “donor dot” on
the front of your license without going to the DMV
office. The most important step is to tell your family
about your decision, as they will be asked for consent at
the time of your passing and need to know your wishes
regarding donation.
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