Busting the Myths about Organ Donation
For years, myths and misconceptions have prevented people from signing up as donors. Read about some of the common myths and urban legends below.
- If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows that I am designated as a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life.
- If I am a registered donor, doctors may remove my organs before I pass away.
- Organs can be bought or sold on the black market.
- I am too old to be a donor.
- I have a history of medical illness. No one could benefit from my donation.
- Even if I say I want to donate my corneas, they will take all of my organs.
- I don't need to tell my family that I'd like to be a donor because it's already written in my will.
- My family will have to pay if I become a donor.
- My religion does not approve of donation.
- Organ and tissue donation means my body will be disfigured. My family will not be able to have an open casket funeral if I become a donor.
- Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list while "regular" people have to wait longer for a transplant.
- The recipient will know who I am.
If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows that I am designated as a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life.
Truth: Doctors, nurses and paramedics will do everything in they can to save your life. In fact, an individual must be in a hospital, on a ventilator and pronounced brain dead in order to donate organs. Gift of Life Donor Program is not notified until all life-saving efforts have failed. The transplant team is not notified by Gift of Life until permission has been given by the deceased’s family.
If I am a registered donor, doctors may remove my organs before I have passed away.
Truth:Brain death (when the brain dies due to lack of blood and oxygen) is a medically, legally, and morally accepted determination of death. To determine brain death, more than one diagnosis of brain death and a series of tests over a period of time are required before the donor's family is presented with the opportunity to donate.
Organs can be bought or sold on the black market.
Truth: These stories are untrue and have become harmful urban myths. Due to the complexity of transplantation, the necessity of involvement from highly trained medical professionals, the process of matching donors with recipients, the need for modern medical facilities and the support necessary for transplantation make it impossible for this to actually happen. The buying and selling of organs and tissues is illegal, as part of the National Organ Transplant Act.
I am too old to be a donor.
Truth: No set age limit exists for organ and tissue donation. At the time of death, trained medical professionals will evaluate patients on a case-by-case basis to determine which organs and tissues are suitable for donation. Therefore, people of any age wishing to become organ and tissue donors should indicate it on their driver’s license and inform their family of their wishes.
I have a history of medical illness. No one could benefit from my donation.
Truth: A person's suitability for organ or tissue donation is always determined at the time of death. Clinical professionals from the organ and tissue donor program will review medical and social histories with the donor's family at the time of death, on a case-by-case basis to determine if the donor is medically suitable.
Even if I say I want to only donate my corneas, they will take all of my organs.
Truth: You can specify which organ and tissues you want to donate in your will or by telling your family which specific gifts you would like to donate at the time of your death. Your wishes will be followed.
I don't need to tell my family that I'd like to be a donor because it's already written in my will.
Truth: By the time your will is read, it will be too late for you to be a donor. Telling your family now that you want to be an organ and tissue donor is the best way to make certain your wishes are honored.
My family will have to pay if I become a donor.
Truth: Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to other surgery. Doctors maintain the utmost dignity and respect for the donor at all times, so much so that donation will not interfere with traditional funeral arrangements such as an open casket.
Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list while "regular" people have to wait longer for a transplant.
Truth: The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth or social status. The length of time it takes to receive a transplant is governed by many factors including blood type, length of time on the waiting list, severity of illness and other medical criteria. Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ.
The recipient will know who I am.
Truth: Information about the donor is released to the recipient only if the family of the donor requests or agrees to it. Otherwise, the strictest confidence of patient privacy is maintained for both donor families and recipients.
Find Related Info
Donor Registry, United Network for Organ Sharing, Transplant Waiting List
Register to Be a Donor
It’s easy to add the donor designation to your driver's license or state I.D. card. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Sign up today!
How Does the Donor Program Work?
From working with hospital teams to allocation to support for donor families, the work to save lives through donation is not a simple exercise.
