What Are the Top Ten Misconceptions Regarding Organ Donation?

Organ donations creates life from death. Every day families save the lives of many others through donated organs from their loved one who just passed. However, many people have misconceptions about what happens with organ donation. These fears and concerns keep many from signing up to be organ donors. Clearing up these misconceptions can help save countless other lives in the future.

Embalming

• Doctors remove organs surgically and sew up the body after surgery. Normal funeral arrangements can proceed after organ donation.

Expense

• A donor's family never pays for removal of organs. If a question about this occurs from hospital billing, call the hospital billing office.

Mutilation

• You can specify specific organs to donate. The Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) and the transplant team will honor your wishes.

Resuscitation

• The medical team will exhaust all means to save you. They do not participate in transplants. A separate transplant team does this. The OPO does not notify the transplant team until the family consents to the donation.

Age

• Organs can be donated from newborns to someone in his 90s. Organs can be donated at any age, while the general age limit on tissue donation is 70.

Anonymity

• The OPO only releases information about the organ donor if the organ donor family requests this.

Faith

• All organized religions support organ donation. They consider it a loving act of the donor.

Mortality

• Brain death presents a medical, legal and moral basis for determining death. Several tests determine brain death, and the OPO contacts the donor family only after these tests are confirmed.

Elitism

• Anyone requiring an organ transplant can receive one regardless of income. Hospitals provide financial assistance to those who need it.

Health

• The OPO reviews the medical and social histories of donors to determine if they are suitable organ donors.