WHY DO WE NEED TO

DONATE OUR ORGAN?

Purpose:
To provide information necessary
for organ donation
GOAL
You will be able to consider donating your
organs in the near future
OBJECTIVES
After this 45- minute teaching, you will be able to:

o Understand what is organ donation

o Identify the advantages of donating your organs
o Express any concerns regarding organ donation
WHAT IS ORGAN
DONATION?
ORGAN
DONATION
Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an
organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and
placing it into another person (the recipient).
Transplantation is necessary because the recipient’s
organ has failed or has been damaged by disease or
injury.
 What organs and
tissues can be
• Liver transplanted?
• Middle ear
• Kidney • Skin
• Bone
• Pancreas
• Bone marrow
• Heart • Heart valves
• Lung • Connective tissue
• Intestine • Vascularized composite allografts
(transplant of several structures that may include skin, bone,
• Cornea muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue)
Who can be
an
People oforgan
all ages should consider themselves
potential donors. When a person dies, he or she
donor?
is evaluated for donor suitability based
medical history and age.
on their
 WHY ORGAN
DONATION IS
Unfortunately, there are fewer donor organs available than there are
people waiting.IMPORTANT?
Some people die waiting for a transplant. Some spend
weeks or months in hospital, while others make several trips to
hospital every week for treatment.
People who need an organ transplant are usually very sick or dying,
because one or more of their organs is failing. They range from
children through to older PEOPLE
 Many on the organ transplant waiting list have a
congenital or genetic condition, illness or sudden
organ failure that will make them very sick and in
need of a transplant.
We never know when illness could affect a family
member, friend or colleague who may need a
transplant.
 GES OF
DONATIN
G YOUR
ORGANS
1. Helps the Grieving Process.

At a time that can be very difficult to get

through, many donor families take consolation in
knowing their loved one helped save other lives.
A single organ donor can save up to eight lives.
By also donating tissues and eyes, the same
donor can improve up to 50 lives.
2. Improves Others’ Quality of Life

For some, an organ transplant means no longer

having to be dependent on costly routine
treatments to survive. For others, an eye or
tissue transplant means the ability to see again
or the freedom from pain. Giving of yourself
through organ donation means that you can help
a host of other people who may now be able to
live a fuller life because of your generosity.
3. It’s Free to Become a Donor

Rest assured that there are no costs

related to donating your organs.
Everything is covered by the
transplant recipient and organ
recovery organization. It’s hard to
turn down saving lives for free.
4. Live to See Who You’ve Affected.
See who’s life you’ve improved first-hand by
choosing to become a living donor. Living donations
are most often seen in cases with family members
or friends in need of a donor. There are risks with
undergoing any surgery; however, most live donors
have no post-surgery health issues. According to
OrganDonor.org, living donation can only be done
with the following organs: a single kidney,
segments of liver, a lung lobe or a portion of the
pancreas.
5. Make a Difference.

Signing up to become an organ donor

is an easy way to make a lasting and
worthwhile impact on the world after
you are gone. Becoming a donor is a
hugely positive choice and allows your
legacy to live on through another.
 LET’S
DONATE
AND
TOGETHER