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Organ & Tissue Donation Facts

Each year, almost 30,000 organs are successfully donated by around 15,000 people. Organ donations can be made by living people, or by the family members of deceased patients. Deciding to be an organ donor is a generous decision that can save and extend the lives of people in dire need of a transplant.

  1. Process

    • The organ donation process is relatively complex. The process requires the cooperation of the physician caring for the donor, organ transplant coordinators, the transplant surgeon and the family of the donor. If the patient is willing to be an organ donor, the physician will perform a medical evaluation to determine the stability of any organs that could be donated. The patient's family will have to authorize the donation before any transplants are made.

    Organs And Donors

    • Organs that can be donated for a transplant include the eyes, lungs, heart, liver, intestines, pancreas, skin, bones and tendons. Organ donors range in age from infants to adults in their 90s.

    Time Frame

    • It's very important that organs are donated in a timely manner. The heart and lungs will only survive for around four hours before a transplant. The liver and pancreas transplant must be completed within eight to 18 hours, while the kidneys can be preserved for up to two days.

    Survival Rates

    • Donatelifeny.org reported in September 2009 that recipients of organ donations have increased by more than 50 percent in the United States in the past 10 years. Recipients of kidney and liver transplants can live for up to 40 years after a donation is made. Heart transplant patients can live for up to 30 years, while lung and pancreas recipients can live for up to 20 years. The one-year survival rate of transplant recipients ranges from 75 percent for a heart and lung transplant, up to 95 percent for a kidney recipient.

    Considerations

    • Many generous individuals choose to donate organs such as a kidney, a portion of the lung, liver or pancreas while they are still alive. Some ethical issues arise when considering a living organ donation. These considerations include the well-being of the donor and the recipient, and the interests of the families of both patients and the transplant center involved in the care of the recipient. Biological compatibility must be carefully considered; often, family members or friends of a patient will be rejected after an examination.

    Determining Factors

    • Organ recipients are prioritized by a number of factors, including the severity of an illness, their time spent waiting, blood type and tissue type. Medical history is a very important factor in determining a valid organ donor.

    Misconceptions

    • It's important to realize that an organ donation will not cost the donor or their family anything. Costs are covered by the Organ Procurement Organization.

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