Aside from February 14th being the cliché day for lovers and lovers of chocolate, it is also National Organ Donor Day. I wanted to write a blog of some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to registering as an organ donor.
There are several explanations as to why some people are against being organ donors, including lack of knowledge, fear, or simply it just never crosses their mind. But if someone approaches you to ask you if you were willing to save someone’s life and leave a lasting legacy of yourself, would you feel differently about donating?
By choosing organ donation you have the chance of saving eight lives and also having an effect on several others included their families. If you chose, you can donate your lungs, liver, pancreas, heart, intestines or kidneys; along with tissues such as your corneas, ligaments, veins, heart valves, bones and plenty more. It is also a possibility for a living donation and donates a kidney, part of a lung, pancreas, liver or intestine.
As mentioned in the beginning, the first most common fear or myth associated with donating is that not all effort will be made to save your life if you’re a registered donor. I cannot emphasize this enough, this is not true. Organ donation cannot be considered until you’re pronounced dead. Extensive testing can determine brain death, which is made by a physician who’s not affiliated with donations. Secondly, some feel you cannot have an open casket funeral, which is also not true. There are absolutely no indications showing organ or tissue donation when one’s prepped for burial. An open casket, cremation, and burial are all still possible. Lastly, some worry they do not qualify because of health reasons, age, or even race. However, there is no medical, age, or race restrictions associated with organ donation.
After reading my blog, I hope I have at least put a thought in your mind about possibly considering organ donation if you are not already. So how do you become an organ donor? Anyone is suitable to join the registry, despite any health habits or medical history. If you want to register there are two ways, at your local NC DMV, or online with Donate Life NC. Once registered, you will receive a red heart on your license. This is legally binding consent saying you are an organ and eye donor, and all your organs are available for transplant at your time of death. However, if at any point after this you change your mind, you can go to your Donor Profile page you can remove yourself from the donor registry and this, in fact, surpasses your DMV donor record removing you from the registry for organ donation.
Give your heart in more than one way.
Reference:
-Ashley Sinclair
IMC Hawks Blog 
I love this blog. It has a special place in my heart since my dad recently passed a little over 9 months ago. He was in a motorcycle accident and unfortunately did not make it. As horrible as it was, and truth be told, I was not a fan of being asked at the time “IS he an organ donor?” “Would you want us to see if we can donate any of his organs?”, I do however, believe that this was ultimately the right choice. My dad’s organs were not suitable to be donated since the accident had left many of them damaged. He was able to donate his tissue such as his corneas and some of his skin. We still do not know much about the recipients but what we do know so far is that one of his corneas went to someone just in South Carolina and one over seas! His dad was blind his whole life so I know he would have loved to help someone be able to see once again if he was given the choice. It does bring a little peace knowing he was able to help others out that were in need of the very things he had donated. Thinking about organ donation may not be the most fun thing to do, but it does help save lives and does have an everlasting gratitude that follows.
I appreciate this post so much simply because not enough people know the importance of organ donations and not enough people spread awareness about it. So, Ashley, I respect you using this platform to share your thoughts and some factual information about the matter. I have personally been registered to be an organ donor for years and I would never change it because, if I can help someone else and change a life after I’m gone, I think that’s pretty amazing. My mom was an organ donor as well. She passed away two years ago at age 38. It was extremely unexpected and we were all shocked/devastated. When the examiner and hospital called to ask if we would be okay with her corneas being donated, we obviously gave that a big old “yes” right away because regardless of the situation, we knew that she would’ve wanted to help someone just this one last time even though she was no longer alive. A few months later, we received a letter in the mail stating that someone could now see again thanks to my mother’s donation and that is pretty special. If I die and have healthy organs, I would also want to impact someone’s life no matter what…I see it as I wouldn’t have use for them anymore anyways so why not pass them on to someone who will and who NEEDS them? That’s just my take on the matter, but I understand others see it a different way.
I think that this is a great point to make. I often times do not understand why people think that if you are an organ donor and you are very sick they will let you die so the doctors can “harvest your organs.” Being an organ donor is super important because you can save someones life. I am an organ donor and I am proud to be one! It seems to be misinformation that holds many people back from being an organ donor. There are plenty of awesome videos of people meeting people that donated organs to them on the internet. They are always heartwarming, If you watch some of these Im sure that people will be more likely to donate their organs after they pass away.
That closing line has me tearing up! What an amazing post! I’ve always been listed as an organ donor from the day I got my license just out of thinking that it was a kind gesture. But after reading your post I have a greater appreciation for what actually goes into that act of surrendering your organs after they are no longer of use to you! Happy National Organ Donor Day!
When it comes to being an organ donor, I have never given it a second thought. I will no longer need those things that could save another human life, so why not simply check “yes” at the DMV. I have always wondered about the “not all effort will be made to save your life if you’re a registered donor” but I didn’t care enough to let it change my mind. I really really like how you cleared that up for me though. I also really enjoyed reading this post instead of the typical Valentine’s Day lovey dovey mushy stuff, so thank you for that too. Overall 10/10 recommend this post !!