Though at least 60% of the American population has signed up to be organ donors, that doesn’t mean their organs will be acceptable when the time comes. That’s why it’s best for as many persons to get registered as possible.
As an African American, it’s even more important. While you don’t have to be the same ethnicity as the person who receives your organ, specific genetic markers can make matching easier for persons with similar ethnic backgrounds.
Steps To Becoming an Organ Donor
The process for becoming an organ donor is fairly simple. It’s best to contact your state’s donor registry for all the details.
These can be found at organdonor.gov. Once you’ve been registered, you can add that information to your drivers’ license at the time of renewal.
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As soon as those two steps have been completed, you would have taken all the legal action needed to ensure that your organs can be donated.
To go the extra mile, though, communicate your wishes with your loved ones. If at any point, you decide to appoint someone to make medical decisions for you, tell them as well.
Even if you haven’t been registered, a loved one or appointed decision-maker can give doctors permission to give your organs to someone in need.
Diseases That Can Prevent Organ Donation
There are actually very few illnesses or chronic diseases that will preclude you from donating an organ. This can also vary depending on which organ you wish to donate.
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Still, unless you are currently dealing with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, or a severe infection, it’s likely that you’ll be accepted as a donor. Bear in mind too that in some cases, organs can be excluded but you might still be able to donate tissue.
Are There Any Risks To a Living Donation?
While most organ donations occur after the donor has died, living donations are also possible. In this case, persons are able to donate organs or tissue that they can still have a healthy life without.
For example, you may donate a kidney, intestinal tissue, a pancreas, a liver, or part of a lung. To qualify for this type of donation, you’ll need to undergo the same kind of health screening for illnesses.
If you’re worried about your quality of life after being a living donor, you shouldn’t. The aim of any living donation is for both persons to live healthy lives. Your health professionals will be upfront about any risks that are involved and if there are any concerns about your health, they won’t go ahead with the procedure.
Why It’s Important To Keep Adding Persons To The Registry
According to recent statistics from the U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation, only 3 in 1,000 organ donors die in a way that makes donation possible. That statistic is one of the reasons it’s important to have as many persons on the registry as possible.
You may have control over how you live but many persons have little say in how they die. If organs are damaged or deprived of oxygen for an extended period, that may render them unsuitable for use.
As mentioned previously, persons of different ethnicity are sorely needed in the registry. This need arises from the prevalence of certain blood types, genetic markers, and illnesses within each ethnic group. That difference can make it more difficult for some persons to get the organ they need because there aren’t enough potential donors.
If you register as an organ donor, there is no telling how many lives you could save when the time comes. Regardless of your age or current state of health, it’s best to consult with your doctor before deciding you can’t donate. Anyone can make a difference in the lives of the thousands of people who are on the waiting list.
