Organ Donation Pros and Cons

It is common knowledge that when one passes on from this life, there is nothing that we can take along with us, neither our wealth nor our bodies, but the only thing that remains as a proof of our existence are the memories that we leave behind with the people we loved and cared for. Some good souls manage to change the lives of complete strangers with a simple noble action of organ donation. As an individual, everyone has concerns about donating an organ and the pros and cons associated with it, therefore read on to know the right information that can help you banish your misconceptions.

There are many doubts that people have regarding this noble concept. While a person may wish to donate his organs, his religious beliefs or family may contradict his wishes. All in all, a selfless action like this, though controversial, can tilt the balance of life and death in the favor of a person in need. Before making the decision to donate your organs, it is best to consult your family so that they can understand why you wish to do so. Keeping the family in the dark about your decision will only make the grieving process difficult for them.

Pros and Cons

People have many fallacies regarding organ donation which have stemmed due to a lack of awareness. Let's take a look at some advantages and disadvantages of donating an organ. It is very easy to sign up for organ transplants, one just has to register with a donation directory. For starters, people have concerns about whether they will be able to have an open casket funeral. Like any surgery, after the donation procedure, the wound is closed and no visible mark is present as a tell-tale sign of the surgery. Therefore, an open casket is possible. The organs are removed only after the patient is declared brain dead and within 12 to 24 hours, the organs are removed for transplantation. The identity of the recipient is not disclosed. The success rate of organ transplantation on an average is between 75% to 85%. One of the cons is that before the donation surgery can begin, a family member has to sanction the approval, so it is best to have your family on the same wavelength as yours in this issue. Another negative aspect of organ transplants is disparity in the number of people donating organs and the number of people who need the transplant. It is said that 1 in 4 people receive the organs in time.

Organ Donation Facts

1. Kidney, lungs, heart, skin, pancreas, liver, bones, eyes and intestines etc. can be donated. The donor family doesn't have to bear the cost of the surgery.
2. Anyone from a newborn to a 65 year old can donate their organs. Up to 95% of eye donation receivers can see again.
3. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, over 90,000 people wait for a new organ and close to 20 people die on an average, due to non availability of the organs.
4. People also worry that in case of a medical emergency, the surgeons won't do their best to save their life if they are registered as organ donors. This is not true as the staff for organ donations is completely different and surgeons don't consider any life as expendable.

The decision to gift the boon of life rests in our hands. If our time has come, perhaps we can share a fragment of our life with another person who has many more miles to go in this journey. A thorough knowledge of organ donation, pros and cons that accompany it, can help you and your family make an informed decision.