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Articles from prior issues of The Advocate
May/June, 1998
| Organ and Tissue Donation Saves Lives by David Deyerle, Delaware DDS ON NOVEMBER 6, 1997, JANET Mart and Jerry Wright spoke about the Organ Donation/Transplant Program. Mr. Wright is a member of KODA (Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates) and holds the position of Director of Tissue Services. Ms. Mart is the KODA Education Co-ordinator and a donor mother. Every state has a separate organ procurement organization. In Kentucky, KODA is designated for this function and KODA also is involved in Tissue Procurement as well. Mr. Wright discussed details of Organ/Tissue Procurement as well as myths and misconceptions. Tissues used include blood, heart valves, veins, bone, cornea and skin. Blood is the #1 transplanted tissue; bone is #2. Tissue may be donated from cardiac death; organs cannot because of loss of viability. Most people are tissue donors because of the way they die. Tissue can be processed and stored, so there is not always a shortage of tissue, compared to the availability of organs. Tissue donation is considered “Life Enhancing”, so it is overseen by the FDA. Infection is a risk that must be guarded against. Examination and testing attempts to ensure the safety of the tissue with organ donation. Disease or infection may be considered worth the risk, as often the recipient is in a life threatening situation and doctors may be able to treat the disease or infection after transplant. A properly stored refrigerated corpse may be used for tissue donation up until 24 hours after cardiac stand still. With organ donation, there is no time constraint as long as the heart is kept beating and the body is kept on a ventilator. Lack of discussion among family members results in less donations, as the family is often unsure what the deceased would have wanted. People are also reluctant to think and talk about death. “It’s against my religion” is often used as an excuse. Most religions support donation, as it is considered a personal decision and most religious leaders have written position papers that support this. Despite rumors, Jehovah Witnesses can be donors. Open casket funerals are usually possible, as incisions can be covered by clothing and there is no disfigurement of the corpse. Ms. Mart spoke about losing her 18 year old son, who in March, 1993, was fatally wounded. He progressed towards brain death and after 32 hours was pronounced dead. She felt that this was a horrible waste and, although she didn’t know exactly what he would have wanted, she decided that he probably would have preferred donation. She felt she had gained strength to help her go on, knowing that her son had helped others. She received a letter explaining how the organs had been used. Knowing that eight people received these gifts from her son has helped her deal with the situation. Over 50,000 Americans wait for the availability of life saving organs, and hundreds of thousands could benefit from tissue transplants. The need is greater than the supply. Lives can be saved by deciding to be an organ and tissue donor. It is important that you share your decision with your family. Recovery of organs and tissue take place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death is legally declared. For more information and/or a brochure, call 1-800-525-3456; write Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates, 106 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202; or contact your local chapter. |
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