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Organ donation: The decision to give the ultimate gift

I'm considering becoming an organ donor. Is there any information I should know before doing so?

In the United States, more than 60 people each day undergo an organ transplant that extends or improves the quality of their lives. Despite this seemingly high number, another 16 people die each day because the organs they need are not available.

As of April 3, 2001, more than 76,000 people were on the United Network for Organ Sharing patient waiting list for organ transplants. Many of the body's organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, small intestines, kidneys, and pancreas, can be transplanted. Corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, and blood vessels can also be donated. All of these organs and tissues can make a huge difference in someone's life, and some may even be a lifesaving miracle for a patient.

Becoming an organ donor is a relatively simple process, says Robin Ohkagawa, donation coordinator for the New England Organ Bank at Boston Medical Center. Filling out a card that expresses your wishes and discussing your decision with your family are all that is involved.

"Family members are the ones who ultimately make the final decision, so it is important they are aware of your desire to be an organ donor," Ohkagawa says. "Even if you sign an organ donor card, we have to get consent from the legal next of kin."

There are some common misconceptions about organ donation that can negatively affect the already very small number of potential donors. "Being an organ donor will not affect the care you receive at the hospital," she says. "The first priority of any health care provider is to preserve the life and health of every patient. Organ and tissue donation can be considered only after a patient is deceased.

"In addition, there are specific tests that are required prior to the declaration of brain death. Furthermore, the only person who can pronounce a donor's death is a physician who is not associated in any way with the transplant team or the care of the potential organ recipient."

Ohkagawa also emphasizes that skilled surgeons remove the organs. "Special care is paid to making certain the appearance of the body is unchanged," she says. The donation will not interfere with any traditional funeral plans or wishes, and the donor's family does not bear any of the costs related to the organ donation.

Once an organ is removed from the body, a number of factors determine how to match it with the appropriate recipient. "First, the donor and the recipient must be of the same blood type and similar body size," Ohkagawa says. "The heart of a large adult male will not fit a young child, for instance. From there, it's based on medical urgency first, then length of time on the waiting list. In some cases, geographic proximity is also a factor."

Donors are evaluated on an individual basis, and the New England Organ Bank evaluates organ donors up to age 80. Ohkagawa urges everyone to consider becoming an organ donor because the benefits, she says, go far beyond giving someone else a renewed chance at life.

"The passing of a loved one is a very difficult time," she says. "In many cases, organ donation is a consolation to family members because something positive has come from a loved one's death."

For more information about organ donation, contact the New England Organ Bank at 800-446-NEOB.

"Health Matters" is written in cooperation with staff members of Boston Medical Center. For more information on organ donation or other health matters, call 617-638-6767.

11 May 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations