Becoming An Organ Donor
Are you an organ donor? What will happen to your organs after you die? Perhaps you’ve never given it much thought, but it’s worthwhile to do so. Becoming an organ donor could literally save someone’s life, and it’s easier than you think to put into place.
The Organ Donor Foundation (ODF) is a non-profit organisation that raises awareness about organ donation in South Africa. Their primary goal is to raise awareness and support for the donation of solid organs, which literally save lives. Their secondary goal is to raise awareness about how tissue donation can enhance many people’s lives. While we may not consider it as it has a very macabre undertone, but our organs can go to much better use after we have passed away.
Your Organs Can Save Lives After You’re Gone
Again, it’s not something we want to think about, but we are all going to die one day. However, our legacy can continue through ensuring the livelihood of other people. Your organs could give someone else another lease on life, which is a far better use for your organs than having them cremated or buried with you.
Once you become an organ donor, it’s important that this information is put in writing and that it is communicated to all family members and loved ones. It is also important that you ensure that your family will carry out your wishes in the event of your death. Often, family members won’t want organs to be harvested as they might think that it’s too traumatic. You need to ensure that they will overlook this in your honour.
There are other ways that this important information can be conveyed:
- Through a final will and testament
- Via a Medic Alert or Elixir Medical Shields necklace or bracelet
- An organ donor card that can be kept in your wallet
- An organ donor sticker that can be placed on your ID card or drivers’ licence
What Organs And Tissues Can Be Donated?
Contrary to popular belief, not everything can be donated upon your passing or the passing of a loved one. Tissues can be harvested after death, but organs that will be transplanted require the body to be connected to a hospital ventilator and pronounced brain dead.
Tissues can be donated hours or even sometimes days after death. These include corneas, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves. You as a single human being can help up to 50 people by donating these life-changing tissues. Tissues can be stored in a bank and used as and when required.
Organs that can be donated include liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys and lungs. Solid organs require the donor to be pronounced dead, but still be kept alive on a respirator until the extraction of organs takes place. This allows medical professionals to harvest the organs and send them straight to the recipient. By donating your solid organs, you can save up to seven lives.
How To Become An Organ Donor
Becoming an organ donor is easy and an option available to anyone, provided you don’t already suffer from any chronic diseases. You don’t need to carry out any medical tests to become a donor, and an existing medical condition won’t necessarily prevent you from being able to donate. The health of your organs and tissues will be determined upon your death. There are no costs involved with becoming a donor and you can select which organs or tissues you want to donate.
To become a donor or to find out more, navigate to the ODF website: https://www.odf.org.za/.
Photo by Morvanic Lee on Unsplash.