Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

March/April, 1999

Gift of Life Trust Fund
The Miracle of Transplantation As Experienced by a Physician as Patient
by Lawrence F. McManus, M.D.

Do you believe in miracles?

Do you believe that you can be an instrument of the Lord by becoming a miracle worker and being a Good Samaritan? Do you believe that you can be the recipient of miracles?

"My donors and God had given me new life -- a rebirth, the gift of life, a second chance at life."

Yes! Believe in miracles - they really do happen to people like you and me! I do believe that I have been the recipient of many miracles! Miracles from God that have come through charitable men and women. You too are capable of being an instrument of many miracles if you are a kind, caring and loving person and choose to participate!

How have I been instrumental in miracles?

Before 1981, I periodically donated blood. A simple act by which I had a part in saving four strangers’ lives every time I donated. If you have donated blood you have done likewise. In the eyes of the Lord you are Good Samaritans and are miracle workers.

What miracles have I received?

In 1981, I contracted Hepatitis B, which progressed to liver failure by late 1989. The doctors predicted I had about five years to live. After a year of experimental medications they reestimated I had about 18 months left and the only chance of prolonging my life was a liver transplant.

In May of 1991, I was placed on the national waiting list. By that time, I was so ill I had accepted death and had made peace with the Lord. I believed no one would donate a liver for me and, if they did, I would not survive the surgery. But one should never be a disbeliever! Even when trying to cope with their own grief and sorrow over the tragic death of their 29 year old son, an African-American family made the charitable decision to donate his organs so others would have a second chance at life.

I received his liver!

They participated in the miracle of transplantation! But it also required more than 60 other Good Samaritans to donate blood and blood products to get me through the 16-hour operation.

On the way to the operating room I had kissed my wife good-bye for what I thought was the last time. I was wrong. After surgery I woke up in the intensive care unit. It was an experience I will never forget. Being foggy from the anesthesia, all I noticed was a white, windowless room, and I was covered in white sheets. I thought I was dead and, frankly, I was mad!

If this was heaven, it was not what I expected. I believed I had tried to live a good life and this was my reward? On the other hand, if this was hell, it was not so bad. I was looking around the room and all I noticed was a clock. Now I wondered why would they need a clock in heaven or hell? I must have been speaking out loud because my nurse, who was sitting at a desk at the foot of my bed, popped up reassuring me I was alive and that my new but slightly used liver was working fine.

What a shock!

I do not remember the first week after surgery very well. But I do remember my wife coming in one morning and telling me to get up and shave, I looked like a bum. She helped me to the bathroom and I looked into the mirror. It was then, at that moment, I realized that God through the generous donation of my 60 Good Samaritans had performed a miracle. My skin color-which prior to transplant was yellow green-had returned to normal. My donors and God had given me new life a rebirth, the “gift of life”, a second chance at life. All the prayers of my family, relatives and various church groups had been answered. I know prayer works and miracles occur. God exists!

I consider my donors to be the miracle workers and through whom God worked. I pray and thank God every day for them. You too can be miracle workers, Good Samaritans through organ and tissue donation by participating in the field of transplant medicine. I am asking you to think about and seriously consider becoming an organ and tissue donor!

In 1989, like so many other doctors, I knew little to nothing about organ and tissue donations. As an orthopedic surgeon I had frequently used donated bone to do spinal fusions but never gave it much thought. I would just have the operating room staff order it when needed. I never thought about the person who had to donate it.

I have learned much about organ and tissue donation since 1989 and would like to share that information with you in the hope that those of you who have not considered donation may now give it serious thought.

In 1991 more than 18,000 Americans were on the national waiting list.

In January, 1998 more than 56,000 awaited a transplant!

Every 16 minutes a new name is added to that list.

Tragically, 10 of these individuals will die today! Every day 10 Americans die because the necessary organs to prolong their lives are not available!

There is a critical shortage of donated organs and tissues in the United States.

Why do they have to wait?

Because of the more than two million deaths in 1996 in the United States there were only 5,416 organ donors!

Statistically, five percent of you will require a vital organ or tissue transplant in the next ten years to prolong and improve your life! Will there be the necessary organ or tissue available for you? Organs and tissues do not grow on trees! They are not like other commodities that can be produced and stored.

How do we solve this problem? My wife and I believed that through education we could improve the donation rate in our state. We researched, wrote and lobbied for legislation which would create a trust fund for this very purpose. Our work resulted in the creation of the Gift of Life Trust Fund of South Carolina. The first purpose of the Gift of Life Trust Fund To promote and encourage organ and tissue donation through education.

We must educate the general public and the medical profession on the need for and the acceptance of organ and tissue donation. Through education, all individuals would have the necessary information to make a decision on whether or not to become an organ and tissue donor.

Many of you have concerns and questions about organ and tissue donation and have been influenced by the many myths that surround this charitable act. We will dispel the most common ones.

The most common fear expressed by those considering organ and tissue donation is that they want reassurance that they are “really” dead before organs and tissues are procured. Each hospital is required to set up protocols to assure the individual is dead. There are very strict rules, guidelines and regulations to be followed by the doctors before one is declared dead.

Some believe if one signs an organ and tissue donor card, nothing will be done to save my life in an emergency! This is due largely to a distrust of the medical community on the part of the public. I know this is not true. As a practicing physician for almost 25 years, the doctors and other medical professionals caring for you in an emergency situation will do everything they can to preserve your life. You should also know by federal and state laws the doctors caring for you in such a situation cannot be part of the transplant or recovery teams.

Some say I am too old to donate, who would want these old organs and tissues of mine? Although there are some limitations, age is not a reason not to donate. Allow the procurement agencies and the transplant surgeons to make that decision for you.

Others state “I have diabetes” (sugar) or “hypertension” (high blood) or some other medical condition. “Nobody will want my diseased organs and tissues!” Not necessarily so. Allow the procurement agencies and the transplant surgeons to make that decision for you.

Many relate “... my loved one has suffered enough and should not endure any more pain or suffering!” The sad fact is that your loved one is dead and cannot feel any more pain.

Some believe if they decide to donate, their organs and tissues will only go to rich and famous people! Organs are distributed by a national waiting list. They are distributed without regard to race, religion, gender or financial status. The buying or selling of organs in the United States is against both state and federal laws.

Some believe their body will be deformed by organ and tissue donation! Organ and tissue donation is a surgical procedure. An open casket viewing is still possible. Organ and tissue donation is not deforming to the body.

Others state that “my religion is against organ and tissue donation” or that “if I decide to donate I will not be allowed into heaven or it will make the resurrection of my body impossible!”

All major religions in the United States approve of organ and tissue donation, considering it an individual decision and a meritorious and true act of love and charity. The apostle Paul teaches that “the body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:42-44, MV). That is, we will receive a new body in the resurrection. A body of a different kind from the one that died. Furthermore, millions of individuals have lost organs, arms, or legs to disease or in accidents. Tragically, soldiers and others have lost their “bodily integrity” on battlefields or in the line of duty. Their loss of bodily wholeness is certainly no impediment to the resurrection of the body. Becoming an organ and tissue donor is a very personal and private decision. Scholars have found nothing in scripture preventing anyone from becoming an organ and tissue donor. In fact, the Good Samaritan imperative seems to demonstrate that we should be willing to give the gift of life through donating our organs and tissues.

Most religions look upon organ and tissue donation as a meritorious act. In eternity we will not need our earthly bodies. According to Revelations: “Former things will pass away, all things will be made anew.”

Some believe it will cost their family more money if they donate their organs and tissues. Not so. All expenses of procuring the organs and tissues are the responsibility of the state procurement agencies. Organ and tissue donation does not cost your family any extra expenses.

Who can be an organ and tissue donor?

All of us can be potential tissue donors and a select few can be organ and tissue donors. It depends on how we die.

There are two legal definitions of death. An individual is declared dead who has sustained either (1) irreversible cessation of all function of the entire brain, including the brain stem, or (2) the irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory function.

A brain dead individual’s organs can be maintained for a period of time by means of a respirator. During this time as long as the organs are receiving oxygen, the individual is both a potential organ and tissue donor. Brain death can result after severe head injury such as occurs in a car accident, stroke, brain aneurysm or gun shot wound. A non-heart beating individual is a potential tissue donor. This is how most of us will die. Organs that you may donate include your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines and stomach. Tissues that you may donate include your bone, skin, cardiac or heart valves, arteries and veins, blood, bone marrow, cartilage, tendons, dura and eyes or cornea. Just think how many lives you can save!

By donating all your organs, seven individual lives can be saved and the lives of from 20 to 50 individuals can be improved by tissue donation. As a living donor, you may donate blood; if you have donated a pint of blood, you have helped save four individual lives and are already a tissue donor and a miracle worker. You may also donate bone marrow, a kidney or part of a lung or liver under certain circumstances to a close family member.

Before the end of your life you may express your desire to become a donor by signing an organ and tissue donor card. In most states you may express your desire by placing an organ and tissue donor sticker on the back of your driver’s license or asking your attorney to execute a living will indicating your desire to be an organ and tissue donor.

But more important than signing an organ and tissue donor card, you must inform your family of your decision to donate. Until the organ/tissue donor card is accepted as the legal document it is, your family decides if you will become an organ/tissue donor. It is best they know of your desires before your death so they may carry out your final wishes.

What am I asking of you specifically?

First think about donation, discuss it with your family and seek spiritual guidance if necessary. If you decide to donate, sign an organ and tissue donor card and place it in your wallet and, most importantly, inform your family of your decision to donate. When renewing your driver’s license, place a sticker on the back of your license. At estate planning sessions, advise your attorney of your desire in your living will. Help us attain our mission of having an organ and tissue available for everyone who needs one for a second chance at life.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan we are told to “go and do likewise.” By becoming an organ and tissue donor, both while you are living and at the end of your life, you will have demonstrated that you have been a Good Samaritan.

Give the gift of life to others and allow them to continue living. Scripture tells us that “whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do unto me.” Organ and tissue donation is the greatest gift you can give - life - and it will be looked upon as a meritorious act.

The life you save will be someone’s parent, spouse, child or grandchild!

Remember, it can happen to you! It did happen to me!