5 Facts About Organ Donation!

Organ donation is a topic we often hear in the media. Over the last few years, this subject has slowing gained traction primarily due to increased awareness among the public. Events like the organ donation day have been particularly helpful in this regard.

But still, there are many misconceptions that do persist even now. The problem is that these misconceptions prevent many people from donating their organs. The fact is that every organ donor can save eight lives and improve many others, so even a loss of a single donor can impact many lives.

In a bid to dispel these myths and enhance awareness about organ donation, here are some facts of organ donation –

1. You can donate even when you are alive - Many people aren’t aware of the fact that they can donate their organs in their lifetime. In fact, living donors can continue to lead healthy and normal lives after their donation.

2. The elderly and chronically ill patients can donate - Age is not a roadblock when it comes to organ donation. People of old age can donate their organs if they so wish. Moreover, just because someone has a chronic illness does not disqualify him/her from being an organ donor. A doctor can assess your condition and let you know which organs can be donated.

3. Many organs and tissues can be donated - The most commonly donated organs are the heart, liver and kidney. But the fact of the matter is that one can also donate stomach, lungs, intestines and pancreas. Connective tissues, bones and even your skin can be donated. Although these organs and tissue less publicity compared to some of their more famous counterparts like the heart and the kidney, they are not any less important.

4. You can help save multiple lives - As stated above, every donor can save up to eight lives. These are just from the important organs like the heart and the kidney, organs that perform crucial life-sustaining functions in the body. However, your tissues and other organs like the eyes and the skin can help up to more than 50 people.

5. You don’t have to pay anything to become an organ donor - There are charges that you have to pay to register yourself as an organ donor.

Organ donation is the need of the hour. With more awareness about this subject, more people will come forward to donate organs and change countless lives on this planet.