Friday, September 10, 2010

Organ Donation Awareness by Liver Transplant Consultant of India

This is Author's small attempt to spread Awareness about Organ Donation

What is Organ Donation?

Organ donation is the action of taking an organ out of a human body after death to transplant it to the body of a patient with end-stage organ failure. In this way, the patient’s quality of life will increase reasonably.

In recent times, the concept of eye and kidney donation has been very popular and successful, thanks to the wholehearted support of people from all sections of society. Besides the eye and kidneys, it is also possible to transplant the heart, lungs, liver and pancreas. Other tissues such as skin, bone, cartilage, veins, arteries, heart, valves can all be transplanted.

Why Donate?

Organ donation is the most wonderful legacy you can leave behind. Donated eyes continue to see the wonders of nature and donated organs can help save the life of many unfortunate people.

Who can be a donor?

Any one, from a child to an elderly person can be a donor, even if you have had a serious illness in the past, you can become a donors given right circumstances.

What is a Cadaver Organ Donation?

Cadaver organ donation is after death. In natural death (non-heart beating) eyes and other tissues can be donated. Solid organs (liver, kidney, heart, lungs etc.) can be donated in BRAIN Death (heart beating).

What is BRAIN DEATH ?

When someone is brain dead, it means there is no blood flow or oxygen to their brain and that their brain is no longer functioning in any capacity and never will again. It does not mean that other organs, such as the heart, kidneys or liver, are dead, although they may function only for few days because of the breathing support machines. And the moment their support machines are stopped they die. As this is under strict controlled environment (In the Intensive Care Units of the Hospitals), unless damaged by injury of disease, these organs may be used by another individual though an organ transplant.

In the West, the transplantation of organs from brain-dead patients is accepted part of medical treatment. The Government of India has accepted this definition of Brain Death in 1994 by passing Transplant Human Organ Act. (THOA)

How does Brain Death Occur?

Brain death usually results from severe brain injury or brain hemorrhage, which causes all brain activity to stop. This can happen after a major road accident or a bleeding in the brain due to a stroke.

Brain Death and Normal Death

To confirm that a patient is Brain Dead, two Doctors who are not involved with the patient’s treatment and from a different hospital carry out a series of tests on the patient. These doctors are picked from a panel of doctors recommended by the Government, and adhere to very strict standards that are accepted medically, legally and ethically all over the world.

What is a Donor Card?

The Donor Card is way of expressing you wish to donate your organ(s). It is like making a will. By signing a Donor Card and enrolling as a member, you become part of this great humanitarian effort. To Gift life and to LIVE on.

Carrying a Donor Card

The Donor Card is small card like a driving license or credit/ debit card, which is always kept with you, in your purse or wallet. Let your close relatives know your wishes about organ donation. The Donor Card can also serve as a emergency card in your wallet. You can contact me for signing the consent form and getting the Donor Card. It can be sent to you through email or courier too or you can collect it personally from office.

Can people Buy or Sell Organs?

No. Not at all. The Transplant of Human Organs Act 1994 prohibits commercial dealings in organs and makes this a punishable offence.

My Commitment

I strive to spread awareness about the huge difference one can make by donating organs after death. I will coordinate the process of getting a vital organ to a suitable and needy patient. Also act as a support for all those who are involved in this life-saving activity.


Do not take your organs to the Heaven, Heaven knows we need them here.

DONATE your ORGANS

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