Myths and Misconceptions
True or False:
Most major religions do not allow organ donation.
False
Major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islamic faiths, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and more not only condone organ donation, but see it as a selfless act and even encourage followers to be donors. Jehovah's Witnesses are discouraged from donating or accepting organ donations.
This organ is the most commonly needed for transplantation.
The kidneys.
The ORGANS from one organ donor can save the lives of ___ people.
8 people.
True or False:
Hospitals legally CANNOT charge a person for an organ.
True
The National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) of 1984 makes it illegal to buy or sell organs in the United States. A hospital cannot charge a person for the organ they receive, only for the operation.
This organ CANNOT be donated.
The brain.
The TISSUES from one donor can change the lives of up to ___ people.
72 people.
True or False:
Hospitals give lower quality care to organ donors due to their status as a donor.
False
Often, the doctors in charge of a person's care is not aware of their donor status until they have been legally declared dead because, in an emergency situation, they rarely have time to ask for an ID.
This organ must be transplanted within 4 hours of harvesting.
The heart.
On average, there are about this many Americans on the transplant waiting list.
100,000 people.
True or False:
In order to become an organ donor, you must go to the DMV and register.
False
There are plenty of online resources where you can register to be an organ donor.
This organ can be harvested from a living donor.
The liver.
(As a self-regenerating organ, the liver can be partially donated and then grow back on its own with no functional impairments.)
A new person is added to the transplant waitlist every ____ (Interval of time)
10 minutes.
True or False:
Those with pre-existing health conditions CANNOT register to be organ donors.
False
ANYONE can register to be a donor, the organ procurement team will test the viability of the organs before harvesting. So although they may not be able to use certain organs, they can still harvest others.
The kidneys can last for ___ hours before being transplanted.
48 hours.
The youngest organ recipient was this old.
Oliver Crawford received a heart transplant at 6 days old, and has lived happily and healthily as an organ donation advocate.