Let's Get Serious
Your heart, your liver and your lungs are all vital to your life. But did you know that you can save up to seven people’s lives when you die?
Organ donation is not one of those topics that gets discussed around the dinner table or even given much thought until it’s the only question that needs to be answered; “Is your loved one an organ donor?”” Are you an organ donor?”
The donation of an individual’s organs once they have passed away is debated widely across religious as well as personal platforms. The reality remains that the number of people in need of a “new” heart, a fully functioning pair of lungs or even other organs that are in dire need far outweighs those which are available for transplant. In addition to the seven lives that could be saved through the donation of the larger organs, another 50 can be helped through the donation of tissue such as corneas, heart valves, skin and bone.
At this point you may be asking, “But what about the artificial organ transplants and that story about that guy they gave a pig heart to?” Both artificial organs, which have been created by doctors to serve the function of an organ, as well as animal organs, closest to those of humans, have been used as “second best”. It can be agreed that nothing is as good as the real deal.
With both human and artificial organs the problem of rejection and infection is something of utmost importance. It is for this reason that doctors take every precaution to ensure the body of the organ’s recipient accepts the new organ.
Today you may not see yourself as a hero, at least not in the Marvel sense of the word but in the future if you answered the question of “Are you an organ donor?” as “Yes I am”, you may just be saving someone’s life with your liver. Giving a burn victim a new face with your skin or giving someone the gift of sight with your corneas.
For more information on organ donation or to register as an organ donor check out
In : Let's Get Serious