2008 Woodie Awards
Organ Donation: Signing Back of Driver's License Gives Gift of Life
Michelle Wood: Muleskinner
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Opinion
According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), nearly 100,000 candidates in the United States are waiting to have an organ transplant and, every 11 minutes, a new candidate's name appears. This is a problem because an average of 18 people die each day, waiting for organs.
After a classmate in high school was killed in a car accident, his family decided to donate his organs, because they knew that is what he would have wanted. His organs and tissues along helped more than 50 people.
Many people simply do not take the time, or even think about, signing the back of their driver's license and becoming an organ donor. People need to be reminded how important this act is because it can help many people.
This is a problem that has a simple solution. A deceased donor's organs and tissues can save or help up to 50 lives. Furthermore, many common myths about organ donation are not true.
The donor's family does not have to pay for the process because the recipient's insurance usually covers the cost of the transplant. Additionally, the procedure does not disfigure the donor's body in any way; the family can still have an open-casket service.
People can also become living donors. Through this process, a person most commonly donates a kidney, a segment of their liver, a ling, or part of their intestine. This process offers waiting-list candidates an alternative to waiting for a deceased donor's organs.
Anybody should consider themselves to be likely candidates to become organ donors. It is easy, as simple as signing the back of one's driver's license. Donation cards can also be printed off through UNOS' Web site www.unos.org.
Even if one signs the back of their driver's license or an organ donation card, it is important to discuss the matter with loved ones.
It's clear that becoming an organ donor an greatly impact many people's lives, so make sure to make your intentions known, so someday you could give someone a second chance at life.
After a classmate in high school was killed in a car accident, his family decided to donate his organs, because they knew that is what he would have wanted. His organs and tissues along helped more than 50 people.
Many people simply do not take the time, or even think about, signing the back of their driver's license and becoming an organ donor. People need to be reminded how important this act is because it can help many people.
This is a problem that has a simple solution. A deceased donor's organs and tissues can save or help up to 50 lives. Furthermore, many common myths about organ donation are not true.
The donor's family does not have to pay for the process because the recipient's insurance usually covers the cost of the transplant. Additionally, the procedure does not disfigure the donor's body in any way; the family can still have an open-casket service.
People can also become living donors. Through this process, a person most commonly donates a kidney, a segment of their liver, a ling, or part of their intestine. This process offers waiting-list candidates an alternative to waiting for a deceased donor's organs.
Anybody should consider themselves to be likely candidates to become organ donors. It is easy, as simple as signing the back of one's driver's license. Donation cards can also be printed off through UNOS' Web site www.unos.org.
Even if one signs the back of their driver's license or an organ donation card, it is important to discuss the matter with loved ones.
It's clear that becoming an organ donor an greatly impact many people's lives, so make sure to make your intentions known, so someday you could give someone a second chance at life.
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