Facts Related to Organ Donation and Transplant

Organ donation and transplant can give life to a person fighting from death. A person requires a new organ because of any medical problem or if the previous organ is damaged. Every few minutes, a new person is added to the waiting list of organs.

Some prime body organs that always remain in demand are the heart, liver, and kidney. They are also the most important organs of the human body. Many deaths are recorded due to the unavailability of organs from across the world.

The donors are always short in supply as compared to the receivers. There are many facts related to organ donation and transplant, that everyone should know. We are going to discuss all the facts and important information to help you and others.

Organ Donation and Transplant: The Facts

A few of the most common facts regarding organ donation and transplant that every person needs to know are as follows:

Can Everyone Donate Organs?

If you want to donate any organ, a few requirements or conditions must be met. If you are younger than 18 years of age and still want to donate organs, the consent of parents or guardians is necessary for the same.

Persons suffering from a few medical problems and diseases cannot donate organs. The conditions include cancer, HIV, severe infection, and other similar diseases. For after-death organ donation, an assessment or checkup of the organs is mandatory to ensure that they are working or not.

Any type of kidney disease, diabetes, and heart disease also can stop you from donating your organs. You should convey all the health problems to the transplant team or the doctor. It is necessary to make the best decision under professional guidance.

Does Donating An Organ Invites Health Problem in the Future?

There is no proof that only because of donating an organ you are suffering from any health problem. Understandably, organ donation and transplant comes with risk but you can take doctor’s guidance before taking any actions.

The data shows some problems such as chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and others in kidney donation. These problems might occur over the long term. If your doctor is saying that you are putting your health at risk by donating an organ, you should stop.

Is There a Requirement to Match the Blood and Tissue Type of the Recipient with the Donor?

A doctor only permits organ donation and transplant if there is a match between donor and recipient. After successfully conducting tests the doctor can recommend whether to donate or not to donate the organs.

The tests are to match the blood type and tissue of the donor with the receiver. Sometimes the organs are transplanted without matching the blood and tissues. But in that case, some treatments are necessary so that the body does not reject the donor’s organ.

Can I Donate an Organ If I am Still Alive?

Yes, there are a few body organs that you can donate while you are still alive. But you should get a doctor’s consultation before getting into surgery. The doctor can guide you for the best results.

The organs that you can donate even if you are alive are the liver and kidney. That also has some restrictions such as only a part of the liver and one kidney you can donate because you also need these organs for survival.

You can donate these body organs because you can survive with a part of the liver and one kidney also. It might affect the functionality of the body but it can manage all the functions.

Is There Any Cost or Payment for Organ Donation?

It is illegal to receive any payment for an organ. For the after-death organ donation, you do not need to pay any cost. It is already covered by the program or by the insurance company. So you do not need to pay or receive anything in exchange for the organ.

Organ donation and transplant are as per the will of the donor and receiver. Therefore, if you have health insurance, contact the same for more information.

How to Become an Organ Donor?

If you also want to donate your organs after death. You need to register yourself on any of the government websites. You need to make sure that you are registering on the right website. Another option is to fill in for the organ donor card at the time of renewal of your driving license.

You can also work with an organization or group to become a live donor. Find who requires an organ in the nearby area along with a donor if the requirement matches. In this way, you can help people to find the perfect organ that can save their life.

Pros and Cons of Organ Donation

The decision of organ donation is very crucial and you must know about the pros and cons of the same. The pros and cons of organ donation are as follows:

• Pros – One of the best benefits is that you can save someone’s life. That someone can be your family member, friend, or an unknown person. The feeling of saving someone’s life is the best.
• Cons – Cons of organ donation are that it requires major surgery. All types of surgeries are risky as there is a risk of blood clots, bleeding, damage to other organs, infection, and tissue damage.

You might face pain and discomfort in the area of surgery. Also, the surgery will leave a lasting scar on the body that can be visible for years. The recovery process also takes some time so that your body can heal properly.

Final Thoughts

Organ donation and transplant is a risky decision that is full of responsibilities. If you are thinking of donating your organs or transplant then you must take a doctor’s advice. Without the advice of the doctor, you should not go ahead with the procedure. It can be a life-changing experience for both the donor and the recipient.