Organ Donation Essay, Research Paper

Organ Donors

The Gift of Life

As of October 27, 1999, over 66,000 Americans were awaiting an organ transplant. Another 500,000 people could benefit from a tissue transplant. Everybody will pass on eventually, and it is a good idea that they have their mind made up early about weather or not they will be organ donors. All donors need to voice their opinions to their relatives so that they will know what to do when they are gone. I believe every one should be an organ donor because it costs nothing to the donor or his or her family, it causes no funeral or religious conflicts, and one donor can save or help up to 50 or 75 different people.

First of all, everyone should be a donor because it costs nothing. The patients care and rights are not compromised at all. There is no discrimination because of race, age, sex, income, or celebrity status. Blood type, length of time on waiting list, severity of illness, and other medical criteria will determine the receiver. The donor could be a poor vagabond and his or her heart could go to David Letterman or Rosie O Donnell. The surgical team that removes the organs is completely different than the team that tried to save your life. There is no added bill to add on to the grief of losing a loved one.

Secondly, many people decide not to be a donor because if they do, they will not be able to have an open casket. That is not true. The body is not disfigured or mauled in any way because of organ retrieval. Most of the organs removed are taken out through an incision that won t be seen in a funeral. If the eyes are removed then reconstructive surgery will be performed. This makes the person look like they are normal at his or her funeral. Also skin tissue is only removed from areas not visible while the person lies in a casket. Another reason donating doesn t affect the funeral is that it will not postpone it. The organs are removed in a surgery environment the same day that family gives permission. Other people say it is against their religion to be a donor. All major religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider it a gift, an act of charity.

The most compelling reason to be a donor is the chance to help someone. Your gift can give someone another chance at life. Being a donor often gives the family of the donor a sense of reason for the death of their loved one. They cannot see why God would take their son or daughter. But when they hear how many people were helped by the organs they feel better. The donor s family always gets updates on how the donated organs are helping people, which helps them cope with the loss. Recently, my grandpa received a heart from a 20-year-old woman who died in a car wreck on her way home from college for Christmas. Everyone in my family is extremely grateful for that young woman to donate her heart. It gave my grandpa the best gift ever right before Christmas. I cannot even begin to guess at the pain in losing a daughter. I can only hope that knowing that her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, eyes, skin and bone tissue are helping people live will bring some good feelings to her family. If it were not for her my grandpa would not have lived. This is the kind of people you would be helping if you were a donor.

In summary, being a donor is a step in the right direction. Being a donor will help all kinds of people. Donating organs is free to your family, it does not conflict with religion, and it helps other people. So, you need to get out your drivers license and sign it on the back saying you want to be a donor. Make sure you have two witnesses and share your decision with your family. Always remember, life is the world s greatest gift. Share your life. Share your decision.