| We are, rightfully so, a species which is very | | | | |
| much focused on living. We look at each day as a | | | | |
| new opportunity. Our eyes are always set on | | | | 3. Does my religion or faith have any thoughts, |
| tomorrow. So, the idea of the end of our lives is, | | | | restrictions or guidelines considering organ |
| of course, not one on which we want to dwell. | | | | donation? |
| | | | | |
| However, ultimately, all lives end. The death of a | | | | |
| loved one is a difficult and painful time. Equally | | | | 4. How does my family feel about organ |
| difficult is the thought of our own mortality. | | | | donation? |
| It’s not something that we forward thinking | | | | |
| people wish to consider. | | | | |
| | | | | 5. If I were to be an organ donor, what would I |
| Still, death doesn’t necessarily have to be an | | | | want to donate? |
| end. A trying and painful time can yield some | | | | |
| positive things. One way of making a lasting gift | | | | |
| out of death is to consider organ donation. | | | | 6. Do I have any fears or concerns regarding |
| | | | | organ donation? If so, what? |
| Organ donation is the removal of the tissues of | | | | |
| the human body from a person who has recently | | | | |
| died, or from a living donor, for the purpose of | | | | 7. What rumors or myths have I heard about |
| transplanting. Post death, organs and tissues are | | | | organ donation? |
| removed in procedures similar to surgery, and all | | | | |
| incisions are closed at the conclusion of the | | | | |
| surgery. | | | | 8. Am I aware of any close family members that |
| | | | | are organ donors? If so, who? Am I considered |
| Organ donation need not affect common | | | | the next of kin or do I have any responsibility for |
| funerary practices. In most cases, simple, | | | | these people? |
| effective steps can be taken to provide a | | | | |
| traditional funeral and even a viewing or visitation | | | | |
| should this be desired. | | | | 9. Do I know which organs and tissues can and |
| | | | | cannot be donated? |
| Organ donation is not just for the young. People | | | | |
| of all ages may designate themselves to be organ | | | | |
| and tissue donors after their death whether from | | | | 10. Do I know anyone who is on a waiting list for |
| an illness or an accident. | | | | an organ transplant? How has that experience |
| | | | | affected me? |
| Of course, we know that donations of some | | | | |
| organs can be made from living donors. The best | | | | |
| example of this is kidney donation. However, | | | | 11. Have I ever discussed donation with my |
| overall, donations from dead donors far outweigh | | | | physician? |
| donations by living ones. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | 12. Do I know my legal rights concerning organ |
| My purpose is to inform you about organ donation | | | | donation? |
| by clearly spelling out the process of becoming an | | | | |
| organ donor and allow you to think of reasons | | | | Organ donation is a topic which carries many |
| why you may or may not wish to be a donor. | | | | opinions. It is a religious, philosophical, psychological, |
| | | | | ethical and legal issue. The laws of different |
| Before we begin, take a moment to consider the | | | | countries allow either the potential organ donor to |
| following questions. | | | | consent or dissent to the donation during his or |
| | | | | her life time, or allow the potential donor's |
| 1. Have I ever considered being an organ donor? | | | | relatives to consent or dissent. Due to cultural |
| | | | | issues and different legislative possibilities, the |
| | | | | number of donations per million people varies |
| 2. Am I presently a designated organ donor? | | | | substantially in different countries. |