Organ Donation: The Gift of Life

Tani Goodman's promising life ended tragically in an accident when he was just 17, but in his family's eyes, his spirit lives on, thanks to the medical miracle of organ donation.

Six people have either had their lives saved or reaped tremendous health benefits as a result of receiving Tani's organs. These new leases on life bring great comfort to Tani's family.

"We understand nothing will bring my brother back, but knowing his organs are in other people is a good feeling," says his sister, Yael. "His spirit is living – the spirit of giving." Yael says Tani would have wanted his organs donated and the family felt it was "the right thing to do."

Today, the Goodmans keep in touch with the beneficiaries of Tani's organs and are actively involved in promoting the cause of organ donation.

Although the Goodmans' story is heartwarming, it is not nearly as common as it could or should be. Although the majority of Canadians support organ donation, only a fraction have made arrangements to become donors.

This highlights the growing need for organs and the importance of people making their wishes known that they would, if possible, be willing to donate.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Organ-Donation-The-Gift-of-Life

There are over 4,000 people in Canada right now who are waiting for an organ transplant. If they receive the organ or organs they need, their lives could be saved or greatly enhanced.

Thousands of transplants are performed in Canada each year. Although the number of deceased organ donors have increased in the past decade, the need for organ and tissue donations will only continue to rise over time due to our aging population. The last decade has also seen an increase in the need for organ donation. For example, the incidence of end-stage renal disease has increased quite a bit, causing an increase in the demand for kidney donation.

A new lung may turn their gasping breaths into effortless ones; a new liver or kidney could cleanse their bodies of waste; a new cornea could bring into focus their blurred vision.

At the same time, if would-be recipients don't undergo an organ transplant, death or protracted illness may be the result.

A single deceased donor can provide up to 8 organs for transplantation. Although the number of deceased donors in Canada has increased significantly in recent years, less than a third of Canadians have made arrangements to donate their tissues and organs.

The main organs and tissues donated after a person dies are kidneys, corneas, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, bowel, bone, eye tissue, and skin.

While the minimum age of consent to be an organ doner can vary by province, there is no age restriction dictating who can and cannot donate their organs. Nothing regarding your final wishes upon your death (i.e., funeral arrangements) changes, and there is no additional charge to you or your family. Your general health and underlying medical history are more important in determining whether or not you could donate your organs. But don't underestimate their usefulness - even if you wear glasses because of poor vision, for instance, you can still donate your corneas.

Although most transplants are from decreased donors, you can also donate certain organs while you're alive. Living donors can donate a kidney, part of their liver, or a lobe of the lung.

So why would you want to donate? Donated organs don't just positively impact the life of the person who receives them – they may also bring purpose to the family of the donor. In fact, studies have shown that families who have donated the organs of a deceased relative feel comforted and consoled knowing their loss has served a dignified purpose.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Organ-Donation-The-Gift-of-Life

Some people may worry that organ donation breaches tenets of their religion. A cursory reading of some religious texts may lead to this conclusion, but the reality is that, although some groups discourage organ donation, major world religions permit and in fact encourage the practice.

Laws in Judaism and Islam, for instance, prohibit desecration of the human body. But both religions note that prohibition is trumped when it comes to saving a life. In fact, Judaism considers post-mortem organ donation in order to preserve a life to be a "mitzvah" – a worthy deed.

The late Pope John Paul II was once quoted as saying that "any act that can save a life, such as organ donation, is a great thing and quite acceptable within our faith". Such a view dates back to Jesus himself, who championed healing the sick as one of his cardinal beliefs and practices.

Similar support for organ donation is found in many other faiths, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. The Hindu Temple Society of North America has stated that Hindus are not prohibited from donating organs and that choosing to do so is entirely up to the individual.

Reverend Gyomay Masao, president and founder of The Buddhist Temple of Chicago, says, "We honor those people who donate their bodies and organs to the advancement of medical science and to saving lives."

Even groups such as the Christian Scientists and the Jehovah's Witnesses, often thought to be sternly against organ donation, leave the decision to the individual, although the Jehovah's Witnesses require the removal of all blood from the organ before transplantation.

Seventh-Day Adventists, known for a strong focus on health and clean living, strongly encourage organ donation and run hospitals specializing in it.

Preventing the death or suffering of others is held in the highest regard by all faiths. Ultimately, the choice to do so, according to the various religions, is yours.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Organ-Donation-The-Gift-of-Life

In order to be a deceased organ donor, the donor must die from brain death (also referred to as neurological death), or circulatory death. In laymen's terms, brain death results from a severe injury to the brain, whereby the brain ceases to function. If the person does not die before reaching a hospital, the organs can be kept alive for a short period of time, allowing for them to be donated. This is highly uncommon, occurring in just 1% to 2% of all deaths. Extensive tests are done to make sure there is a complete and irreversible loss of all brain function before declaring brain death.

Circulatory death occurs when the heart stops beating. A ventilator can be used to help the person artificially breathe and circulate oxygen around the body. In these situations, treatment is only withdrawn (after discussing with family members) if is there no chance of recovery and death is inevitable.

People who die from other causes cannot donate organs, although they may still be able to donate tissue, including eyes, skin, bones, veins, and heart valves.

If consent was  given, a plan will be made to remove the ventilator. Since transplant operations are emergency procedures that need to be carried out with organs that are still functioning properly, it must be done quickly after disconnection from ventilator support.

All over Canada, support groups help the donor families deal with their loss.

The decision to donate organs requires much reflection. Even though substitute decision makers don't have the legal authority to object to consent that was previously given by the deceased donor, many provincial and territorial donation organizations still suggest following family wishes. So, while registering as an organ donor is important, medical staff always discuss the possibility of donation with the person's family before a donation takes place. That is why your family must be made aware of your wishes to donate.

The challenge is that many relatives simply don't know what those wishes are. Although the majority of Canadians support organ donation, less than a third have made arrangements to become donors.

These numbers touch on the need for people to express to their families that they would want to be a donor. Most provinces and territories allow you to register as an organ donor online. Those in Newfoundland and Labrador can indicate their intent to donate by completing the Medical Care Plan (MCP) application or renewal form.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Organ-Donation-The-Gift-of-Life