The Benefit of Organ Donation

If there is one thing that everyone in the world can agree on it is the fact that eventually we are all going to die. Death is going to happen to each and every one of us, and the thought of dying is usually very tragic to most people. It is not knowing what is going to happen that can cause the fear of dying in a person or a family. Diseases and tragic accidents are usually the cause for deaths.

However, there are some life- threatening situations that we do have the ability to control. Life is spared for many through organ donation. Organ donation saves hundreds of lives each day; however, there is still a great number of deaths that occur each day as people on an organ transplant waiting list continue to wait. Organ donation can be given by anyone and can save many lives.

Everyone should understand the importance of being an organ donor. No matter where you come from in life you can be a donor. Thousands of individuals die annually within the u.  s. alone awaiting organ transplants. Today the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) reported that 114,621 people need a lifesaving organ. A new person is added to the transplant list every 10 minutes (Data). While only 3 out of 1000 people die in a way that allows for organ donation (Organ). This shows the growing need for more organ donors. The choice that you or your family makes allows a person that is on their way to death the possible gift of life. Although many families suffer when they lose a loved one they can find comfort in the fact that their loss has help someone else survive. Because of organ donation life for many people can go on to live very long and happy lives. It is often hard for someone who has just lost a loved one to make such a choice; however, they should find some comfort that death of their loved one would not be the complete end for them if life could be given to another person.

A statistic from UNOS show that almost 75,145 are on a waiting list for an organ transplant, and that the need for donated organs continues to grow faster than the supply of available organs. Evidence shows that since many families do not consent to their loved one’s organs being donated that is a big factor in the shortage. The refusal typically comes from families that have never discussed the importance of organ donation with their loved one. People don’t usually talk about this because they don’t like to think about someone they love and care about dying. No one likes to speak regarding the “what ifs” of life and death. At some point everyone must come to realize that death and dying is a part of life therefore, discussing with your family ways to prolong life will not only be a benefit to others but may also end up being a benefit to you and your loved one.

More facts regarding organ donation and transplantation need to be available to the public. Some individuals believe that those waiting for transplants are just old people; however, this is not true. A statistic from UNOS showed that 77% of people on the transplant list ae under the age of 65 and 3% are under 18 (Data).  Also 88 lives on average are saved every day from organ donations (Key). This data may persuade individuals and their families to notice the importance of being a donor. the public doesn’t seem to be aware of the various problems associated with organ donation. Organ donors vary from newborns to seniors. There is 25 different organs and tissues that may be donated (Surprising). Important organs are often transported many miles to a recipient in need. Daily about 20 individuals on the list die because an organ wasn’t available to them. One person can save up to 8 lives and enhance the lives of up to thirty others (Data). Because of the donation they received organ recipients can lead full productive lives for years following a transplant.

Losing someone you love will sadly become a devastating reality for all of us at one point. It should be a comforting feeling to know that once death happens we can help give life to another. This should to be enough motivation for any individual to become a donor. There is no better way to chance something so sad into something good. You can give then chance to some to see the person they care about become healthy again, to see their kids or grandchildren grow, or for a baby to grow to be an adult. Becoming a donor would be a present beyond belief for several families, and the possibility for the family of the lost loved one to understand that life for somebody else might be continued thanks to an easy act of becoming a donor and caring for our other people. There are so many people in the world that have this strong will and desire to live. Without more people becoming organ donners that just ca not be possible.

The choice to become an organ donor is straightforward. The primary step is to speak to your family and loved ones regarding organ donation. Any one person can become a donor just by signing a donor card, like your driver’s license and having a witness of the signature; however, more importantly make sure you tell your family about your intentions to be a donor, so they can make sure that your wishes are carried out. Even with a card signed your family must give the consent before your desires are carried out. Once families discuss organ donation and are aware of their loved one’s request to do this, they feel some comfort knowing that the gift of life is being given to someone else. It offers the family some form of comfort knowing that their loved one’s death was not in vain. Being an organ donor has some many rewards for you and your family. You can feel comfort that when its finally your time you can change someone’s life for the better. You can also feel at peace when you lose someone you love knowing that your loss will be someone else’s gain.

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