Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation GET THE FACTS: Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Developed by Donate Life NJ to support the mandate of the New Jersey Hero Act (S755/A2083)

Why should I learn about donation? There are over 110,000 people in the US waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and nearly 5,000 in NJ. There are over 110,000 people on the waiting list for organs and that number continues to grow every day. The number of donated organs available is far less than the number of people waiting for a life-saving organ. Everyday 18 people die while waiting. There are not enough donated organs available for everyone on the list, many people die while waiting.

You will have to make a decision about whether you want to register as a donor when you apply for or renew your license once you turn 18. You will need to make a decision about whether or not you want to register as a donor when you apply for or renew your license after the age of 18.

You can become a hero and save the lives of others by registering as a donor.

In 2011 . . . 25,380 143 403 people died in central and northern NJ people became deceased donors (This is less than 1% of the total deaths for that year)** 143 organs were transplanted from deceased donors** 403 *National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 58, No 23, July 29, 2010, ** www.UNOS.org

The Number of People Waiting for a Transplant Far Outweighs the Number of Organ Donors As you can see from this graph there is a huge gap between the number of life-saving organs available and the number of people waiting for a life-saving transplant. The number of people waiting for an organ transplant has increased dramatically from year to year while the number of donors and transplants performed has remained almost the same from year to year.

Organs That Can Be Donated

HEART KIDNEYS LUNGS PANCREAS LIVER INTESTINES You have 8 organs that can be donated. You can donate your heart, two lungs, your liver, two kidneys, your pancreas and intestines. Two of the organs are special because you can also donate them while you are alive. One of your kidneys can be donated while you are alive and a portion of your liver can be donated while you are alive. Living donation is a voluntary process and has nothing to do with registering as an organ and tissue donor. People who need an organ transplant are people who have suffered irreversible damage to that organ which causes it to no longer function properly. This can be caused by disease, injury, or a birth defect. LIVER INTESTINES

One Organ Donor Can Save Up to Eight Lives You can save up to eight lives by becoming an organ donor.

Most Commonly Donated Tissue

BONES HEART VALVES CORNEAS SKIN TENDONS VEINS The most commonly donated tissue are, bones, corneas, tendons, heart valves, skin and veins.   Examples of how these tissue can be used to enhance someone’s life are as follows: Bone can be used to help someone who needs a spinal fusion to lead a normal life. Corneas can be used to give someone with a damaged cornea the gift of sight. Tendons can be used to help people with sports injuries to repair torn tendons. Heart valves can be used to replace a malfunctioning heart valve. Skin can be used to help burn victims. Veins can be used to repair veins that are not allowing blood to flow back to the heart. These are just a few examples of the many uses for tissue donation TENDONS VEINS

One Tissue Donor Can Enhance Up to Fifty Lives One tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

Anyone can register to be an organ and tissue donor. Who Can Be A Donor? Anyone can register to be an organ and tissue donor. Anyone can register to be a donor.

Most donors are people who have experienced a severe, life-ending trauma to the brain and are declared brain dead in a hospital. This means that brain function has irreversibly and permanently ceased. In order to become a organ donor you need to die in a hospital while on a ventilator. These two things are important because if you do not die in a hospital while on a ventilator, your organs and tissue quickly deteriorate during the dying process and would not be healthy enough for transplantation purposes. The ventilator helps to slow down that process. Most donors are people who have experienced a traumatic injury to the head causing brain death. Brain death occurs when brain function irreversibly stops. Brain death should not be confused with a coma. When someone is declared brain dead, they are dead. Regardless of whether or not they will become a donor, they will be removed from the ventilator once they have been declared brain dead.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

“If I have a history of medical illness, my organs or tissue are unfit for donation.”

Due to medical advances more people than ever are able to become donors. At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals determine whether or not you can be a donor. At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals will review your medical and social histories to determine whether or not you can be a donor.

“Transplants can be ‘bought’ by the wealthy and powerful."

Social and financial data are NEVER considered Social and financial data are NEVER considered. Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient, wait time, and medical need. Social or financial data are not part of the computer database matching system therefore, they are not factors in the determination of who receives and organ. Organs are computer matched according to compatibility of donor and recipient tissue, determined by various tests, waiting time, and the medical need of the recipient.

“My religion does not support donation.”

All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation and some consider it an act of charity. All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation, and many religions view it as the greatest gift you can give.

“I am signing up to be a living donor when I register as an ‘Organ Donor’ on my license.”

Registering as an organ donor on your license has nothing to do with living donation. In New Jersey, having the words “Organ Donor” on your license means that you consent to donating your organs and tissue once you have died. Having the words “organ donor” on your license means that you consent to donating your organs once you have died. Having the designation on your license has nothing to do with living donation.

“If I’m registered as an organ donor the doctor is not going to work as hard to save my life.”

The decision to be an organ donor will in no way affect the level of medical care for a sick or injured person. The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating the patient is not involved with the transplant/recovery team, which is only called after death has occurred. Having the words “organ donor” on your license means that you consent to donating your organs once you have died. Having the designation on your license has nothing to do with living donation.

How to become a HERO When you renew or apply for your license at a Motor Vehicle Agency say “yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor. OR When you turn 18 and apply for your unrestricted driver license you will be asked if you’d like to be an organ donor. By saying “yes,” the words Organ Donor will appear on the front of your license which means that you have legally consented to donating your organs and tissue for transplantation purposes once you have passed away. If you are already 18 and do not have the words Organ Donor on your license and would like to make the donor designation you can either: Renew your license at Motor Vehicle and ask to have the donor designation put on your license, or make your designation online at NJSharingNetwork.org Most importantly tell your family about your decision so that they know your choice to be a donor. Register as an organ and tissue donor on-line at www.njsharingnetwork.org

What if I’m under the age of 18? You still have the power to donate! Tell your family your decision so that they know of your choice to become a donor. If you are under the age of 18, or if there is not a no designation on your driver license or other legal means of donor designation, the final decision about organ and tissue donation will be made by your family. Talk to your family to about your decision so that they know your choice to become a donor.

Help save lives, say “yes” to becoming an organ and tissue donor. I‘m A Hero . . . Are You?