As most of you know, I am interning at the New York Organ Donor Network this summer doing Hispanic Marketing and Public Relations with their Outreach team and I wanted to share some myths and facts that I've learned this summer so far. It's really a great cause and I can't help but try to outreach even more after meeting so many people that have gotten a transplant or are on the waiting list. These are real people and need your help to live their lives normally without the fear of imminent death. Saving lives is actually quite easy, and with your gift of life, up to 8 people can be saved. It's a powerful cause, statement, and mission. I've been having a great summer working for them and hope you'll consider the facts of this beautiful process. Thanks guys!
1) MYTH: Doctors will not do everything they can to save my life if they know I want to be a donor.
FACT: Donation can only occur after a patient has been declared brain dead by physicians who are not affiliated with the transplant recovery teams.
1) MYTH: Doctors will not do everything they can to save my life if they know I want to be a donor.
FACT: Donation can only occur after a patient has been declared brain dead by physicians who are not affiliated with the transplant recovery teams.
2) MYTH: Wealth and celebrity status dictate who on the transplant waiting list receives an organ first.
FACT: The transplant waiting list is completely blind to wealth or celebrity status. The severity of illness, time spent waiting for an organ and blood type are what matters for people waiting.
3) MYTH: Donation is against my religion.
FACT: All major religions endorse donation as the highest humanitarian act. Religious leaders, including the Pope, have all publicly supported donation.
4) MYTH: My family will have to pay extra bills.
FACT: A family of an organ and tissue donor is never responsible for costs related to donation.
5) MYTH: Donation will disfigure my body.
FACT: Donation takes place under the same strict sterile conditions as any medical procedure. A donor is treated with extreme care and the body is not disfigured.
6) MYTH: It is impossible to have a regular funeral service following organ donation.
FACT: Donation does not interfere with funeral arrangements. Open casket services are possible.
7) MYTH: Organs can be bought and sold on a black market.
FACT: In the U.S., law prohibits the buying and selling of organs. The
system for matching donor organs and potential recipients is regulated by the Federal Government.
8) MYTH: Signing the back of my driver's license or donor card will ensure that I will be a donor.
FACT: Surviving family must give consent before donation can take place, so it is essential that the family know the patient's wishes.
**Please sign up to share your gift of life by visiting http://www.donatelife.net/ to sign up to your state's registry. 18 people die daily waiting for an organ transplant and every 12 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list. With just one organ donor, up to 8 lives can be saved. If you need more information feel free to contact me!
8) MYTH: Signing the back of my driver's license or donor card will ensure that I will be a donor.
FACT: Surviving family must give consent before donation can take place, so it is essential that the family know the patient's wishes.
**Please sign up to share your gift of life by visiting http://www.donatelife.net/ to sign up to your state's registry. 18 people die daily waiting for an organ transplant and every 12 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list. With just one organ donor, up to 8 lives can be saved. If you need more information feel free to contact me!
