According to Donate Life America, there are currently over 100,000 people in the U.S. waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.  Sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my head around what 100,000 people really looks like. So, I try to relate those numbers to something I’m familiar with – like sports!  Think about this:

• Lambeau Field in Green Bay holds about 72,900 people
• Wrigley Field in Chicago can hold 41,160 fans
• Beaver Park in Happy Valley can hold 107,282 

So the next time you are watching Penn State play football, just imagine all of those people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. It’s a pretty sobering thought, really.

It’s actually quite incredible to learn about organ donation. In fact, because of advances in medical technology, organs, tissues and corneas can be transported to those in need and waiting. Each organ has a different timeline for transplantation. For example:

• Heart/lungs can be preserved approximately 4 to 6 hours
• Pancreas can be preserved approximately 12 to 24 hours
• Liver can be preserved approximately 6 to 8 hours
• Kidneys can be preserved approximately 24 to 72 hours
• Corneas must be transplanted within 5 to 7 days
• Heart valves, skin, bone, tendons, veins may be preserved from 3 to 5 years

Although 37% of all U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are registered donors, 18 people die each day while waiting.  Unfortunately, it seems that the low number of donors may be due to misconceptions about organ donation.  Donate Life America’s recent survey revealed that:

• 52% of people incorrectly believe that doctors may not try as hard to save their lives if they know they wish to be organ or tissue donors.
• Approximately half of adults (48%) believe a black market exists in the U.S. for organs and tissue, up from 44% in 2009.
• 61% mistakenly believe it may be possible for a brain dead person to recover from his or her injuries.

In an attempt to increase the number of potential donors, the state of New York has proposed to “presume consent” of those who receive a driver's license or state identification card.  In other words, they would be automatically added to the state donor registry unless they “opt-out.” 

Supporters of this bill think that it’s the right thing to do because so many people are dying needlessly.  Those opposed think there will be too much backlash and want to curb government control.  Does your state have a program like this in place already?

Are you registered as an organ donor in your state?  Why or why not?  Visit www.donatelife.net/CommitToDonation to learn how to become a donor.

Subscribe to Groupie Blog to receive free updates on the latest health and wellness posts in your feed reader or e-mail!

0