Organ Transplants

More than half of the American population says they would consider being an organ donor.  Approximately 22% of all people with a driver's license have indicated they are an organ donor on their license. 

 

Facts about Organ Donation

Around 120,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant.

Another name is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes.

On average, 22 people die every day from the lack of organs for transplant.

One deceased donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation.

• Organ recipients are selected based primarily on medical need, location and compatibility.

• Over 650,000 transplants have occurred in the U.S. since the late 80’s.

• The cornea is the most commonly transplanted tissues.

• A healthy person can become a ‘living donor’ by donating a kidney, or a part of the liver, lung, intestine, blood or bone marrow.

• About 5,000 living donations occur each year. One in four donors is not biologically related to the recipient.

• The buying and selling of human organs are not allowed for transplants in America, but it is allowed for research purposes.

• Liver and kidney disease kills over 120,000 each year, more people than Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, or prostate cancer.

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Working with Families of Organ Donors

It's never easy to lose a love one.  Then to be hit by the decision on donating organs can be overwhelming.  In many cases this decision is predetermined the patient themselves through legal documentation.  If it's not predetermined, then the decision goes to the family.  Many people are very unsure when it comes to releasing their loved one's body to donate.  There are many questions, and there should be answers to those questions in the form of papers of a pamphlet.  The families can read the information, and then make their decision based on the information, however, they may have additional question, and it helps to have the answers.  The main thing that always seems appropriate to say is what the passing family member would want. 

Grief and bereavement counseling should be available to the deceased patient's family member.  It can be difficult in the beginning, knowing that a part of your loved one lives on in someone else.  In most states, organ donation is private, and the donor or recipient information not available to the other party or their family.  There can be exceptions to these rules, however, always make sure it is in writing prior to disclosing.

 

Living Organ Donation

 

• Living Related Donation: The living donor is biologically related to the recipient, such as a parent, child, brother or sister.

• Living Unrelated Donation: The living donor is emotionally related to the recipient, such as a good friend, spouse, or in-law.

• Non-directed or altruistic donation: These individuals donate to an anonymous candidate on the waiting list. Some donors may eventually meet the transplant candidates, but only if both parties agree.

Living donors are usually between 18 and 60 years of age and are often close relatives of the intended recipient. However, acceptable ages may vary by transplant center and the health of the donor candidate.

The prospective donor must have a compatible blood type, and in the case of kidney donation, tissue type, as determined by lab tests of the donor and recipient.

The donor candidate is carefully evaluated by lab tests, a physical examination, and a psychosocial examination to ensure that the candidate is healthy enough to donate and that he or she is making an informed decision. The decision about whether to accept the donor is then made by the health care team at the transplant center.

What organs can be donated?

The most common kinds of living donation are living kidney donation and living liver donation. Kidneys and livers are the organs most in need.

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Types of Living Organ Donation 

Most common:

• Kidney (entire organ)

• Liver (segment)

Tested and successful:

• Lung (lobe)

Rare:

• Intestine (portion)

• Pancreas (portion)

People can also become living donors by donating blood or bone marrow, and, in some instances, nerves or skin.

Benefits of Relative Organ Donation

• Quality of life: Transplants can greatly improve a recipient’s health and quality of life, allowing them to return to normal activities. They can spend more time with family and friends, be physically active, and pursue their interests.

• Shorter waiting time: Due to the lack of organs available for transplant, patients on the national transplant waiting list often face a long wait (sometimes several years) before they are able to receive a transplant from a deceased donor. Patients who find a suitable living donor do not have to wait on the list.

• Better results: Transplant candidates generally have better results when they receive organs from living donors as compared to organs from deceased donors. Often, transplant organs (called grafts) from living donors have greater longevity than those from deceased donors. Also, better genetic matches between living donors and candidates may lessen the risk of rejection.

• Kidneys and Livers Functions Immediately: A kidney or liver from a living donor usually functions immediately in the recipient. (In uncommon cases, some kidneys from deceased donors do not work immediately, and as a result, the patient may require dialysis until the kidney starts to function.)

Many people are alive today thanks to organ donation.

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