Mental Health America of Virginia The voice of reason in mental health advocacy

Screen 21 - Organ Donation

Organ donation is the process of removing organs or tissue from a deceased person to implant into a living person who needs that organ or tissue to survive. There are many people waiting for an organ such as a heart or liver. Some people see organ donation as the last gift they can give to fellow man while others believe their body should remain intact after death. Neither view is right or wrong-this is a value and it is a very personal decision.

 There are some facts about organ donation that you should know before you decide whether you want to be an organ donor. You may think you are too old or have too many medical problems to donate, but anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age, race, or medical history. Although some religious beliefs may forbid it, most major religions support organ, eye and tissue donation. Check with your religious leader for more guidance if this concerns you. Some people are afraid that if they agree to be an organ donor, doctors will be more eager to remove their organs than save their lives. If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. The doctors who are trying to save your life are not the same doctors who will be removing your organs after you have died. An organ donor can still have an open-casket funeral because the organs are removed in a surgical process. The donor's family does not have to pay for any to have the organs removed-this is paid by the person who receives the organ. It is important to know that if you are an organ donor, you will probably be on a respirator for a short period of time in order to keep the organs alive until they can be removed.

If you would like to be an organ donor, it is important that you indicate your wishes in writing. You can do that here in your Living Will or you can sign a donor card at the DMV and it will show up on your driver's license (you can also do both of these things to make sure your wishes are known). The most important thing you can do is talk to your family, friends, loved ones and you doctors about your wishes. You should also designate a person to make the final decision and authorize that person to sign the consent form. This person may be the same agent as in your Power of Attorney, or it may be someone else.

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