Here's What You Need to Know About Being an Organ Donor

Organ donation – it’s something that we think about only when a close relative or a family member is in a critical state and requires a transplant. Organ donation is a serious issue across the globe, especially in India. According to a report published by Organ India, approximately half a million Indians are in a dire need of a life-saving organ transplant. Though the figure is mind-shattering, sadly, less than a thousand transplants are performed each year from deceased donors. And the number of living donor transplants is even less. Why? The lack of awareness about this noble cause and a few misconceptions keep people away from signing up as a donor.

The waiting list of organ transplant is increasing each passing year. The greatest demand is liver transplant – and this demand is not just in older people but in children too. Heart, kidney, and lung transplants are the next most in demand. We at Max Healthcare are labelled as the best liver transplant hospital in India and would like to take this platform as a medium to spread awareness about this noble cause. Furthermore, we urge people of all age groups to sign up as an organ donor.

Here are a few things that one should know about being an organ donor.

You Can Save Up to Eight Lives

The organs that a deceased donor can donate include kidneys, pancreas, heart, liver, small intestine and lungs. In addition, tissues like the corneas and skin, and bone tissues like heart valves, tendons, blood vessels and cartilage can also be donated to improve the life of many in need.

Anyone Can Register as a Donor

As stated above, donation includes several tissues and organs; thus, anyone who is under medication can still become an organ donor. Even if medication or illness makes any organ unsuitable for donation, there will be other organs that would be in a good state for a transplant. However, those who are under the age of 18, will require their parents or guardians consent before registering as a donor. Once stated, only those organs shall be taken for donation that one had signed up to donate.

Regardless of their medical history, age and race, anyone can become a donor. A team of doctors review the medical history to determine if one can become a donor.

Donation Costs Nothing to The Deceased’s Family

All the cost is incurred by the recipient's insurance and the deceased donor’s family has to incur no cost for any organ or tissue donation. Also, doctors always aim to save the donor’s life and make all possible attempts in the life-saving process.

It’s Important for The Family to Know

To be sure that the donor’s intentions are carried out, it is vital for them to keep their family informed about this decision. Once someone has officially registered as a donor, always keeping the donor card in the wallet is advisable.

You Can Be Alive and Donate

Living donation is when you donate one of your organs or a part of any organ (e.g. Liver) while you are still alive. Medical professionals assess if your organ can be transplanted to the recipient based on a few lab tests. The success rate of living donation is 100% and causes no harm to the donor’s health.

Final Words!

Organ donation is a selfless and courageous act, so, register yourself as a donor today to make a difference in someone’s life and give them a new beginning.