Historical Perspective

• Since the 1^st successful kidney transplant in 1954, over the year’s organs and tissues have become routine and effective treatments for patients with range of genetic defects.
• Thanks to the medical and technological breakthroughs have made it possible to transplant 25 different organs and tissues, including the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, skin, bones, blood vessels, bone marrow and corneas, and have improved survival rates for organ transplant patients.
• Survival Rates The 3-year survival rate for heart recipients is 75%
• The 3-year survival rate for kidney recipients is 88%
• The following tables shows # of transplants performed in 1998

For more organ data please visit site:

http://www.unos.org/frame_Default.asp?Category=Data

• It can be seen from the above statistics that people, who were facing death, had New Hope and good rate of survival also.

• Organ Donation and Transplant Facts

• The donation of the organ is a unique opportunity to save lives
• It is possible for the organ, tissue and corneas of a single donor to save or help as many as 25 people.
• All potential recipients are listed on the united networks for organ sharing. (UNOS)
• Organs are assigned, as they become available considering the severity of a patient’s condition, medical requirements (such as blood type, size and tissue mach), proximity to the available organ and time on the waiting list.
• More organ donors are needed. Although 75-85% of us believes in & support organ donation. Only about 20% of the potential donors actually have their organs donated.
• Organ donors are healthy people who have died suddenly, usually through accident or head injury. They are brains dead. The organs are kept alive through mechanical means.
• Organs for transplant must be made available soon after death. Organ donation will not take place without the permission of the next of kin. Therefore, the decision to donate should have been discussed earlier and the next of kin should understand and be prepared to carry out their loved one’s wishes. This is the heart of DONOR AWARNESS.
• Organ donation is a true gift. In general, the donor family will never know the recipients. They do know that out of their tragic loss, they have given others life and health.
• According to the UNOS, there are more than 50,000 names are on an organ transplant waiting list.
• Each month more than 2000 names were added to the list, and the list continues to grow rapidly, while the number of donors does not.
• 8 to 9 people die every day while waiting for a vital organ.
• 10000 to 14000 people die each year and meet the criteria for organ donation.

1. Wealthy people and celebrates are moved to the top of the list faster than "regular" people.

 

 

Fact: The time it takes to receive a transplant depends on blood type, how long you are on the waiting list, severity of illness, and other medical criteria. Race, gender, income, or celebrity status is never considered when determining who receives an organ. All organs Donation done in this country goes through local OPO’s and is strictly regulated. No one can "Buy" or "Sell" organs or obtain "VIP" privileges on a waiting list.

2. I am not the right age for donation.

 

 

Fact: Organs may be donated from newborns on up. The general age limit for tissue donation is 70. At the time of death, appropriate medical professional will determine whether organs are useable.

3. I don’t need to tell my family that I want to be a donor because I have written in my will.

 

 

Facts: By the time your will is read it will be too late to recover your organs. Telling your family now that you want to be an organ and tissue donor is the best way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death.

4. My religion does not support donation.

Possible solution to the shortage

• The major roadblock to procuring organs for transplantation is allows rate of family consent. Why? Because of the above mentioned Myths. The best way to increase organ donation is through public awareness and education.
• Increase funding of transplant organization to educate the public via radio, televisions, newspaper, magazines and sings in prominent public places. Also using celebrities and selected speaker’s from transplant organization. These organization also actively educating physicians and other health care organization.
• Education through government agencies including DMV and encouraging people to sign back of their driver’s license for organ donation
• Legislation favorable to organ donation

• Uniform anatomical gift acts, which contains the directive that the family of the declared donor may not revoke the donor’s wish to donate their organs and requires hospital personal to Enquirer routinely about organ donation on admission.
• Proxy law – which allows for a designated person to make decision of organ donation if the donor unable to do so. Example if he is in vegetative state
• Omnibus budget reconciliation act, which require hospitals to systematically and routinely offer next of kin the opportunity to donate their deceased relative’s organs.

• Compensation for donation including decent burial for deceased donor, discounts on insurance rate for future organ donor
• Law of presumed consent – which would presume there is no objection for organ donation unless directed otherwise by donor or family
• Use of organs or parts of organs from living donor
• Use of death raw inmates as organ donors

• Become a donor
• Sign a pledge card
• Sign the back of your driver’s license
• Inform spouse or next of kin of your decision to become an organ donor
• Sign a proxy
• Inform your health care team
• Educate other people about organ donation

From reading all the feedback overall consensus of the presentation was good. There were two comments made. One was that I was very nervous. No doubt I was very nervous. I am not used to presenting. Although I had practiced several times at home in front of the mirror, when it came to facing the reality I got nervous. I guess the only way I can improve is to keep presenting in front of an audience and then it should become easier.

The second comment from one of the fellow student was that the statistic (tables) were not so clear. I am not so sure what the person meant. I had made an effort to enlarge the tables as much as I can. As far as the content of the tables, in my opinion were quite straightforward. If I have a chance to speak to that person I will ask him to elaborate. In addition I had not had enough time to each line on the table.