Hospital Organ Donation Campaign Let Life Bloom

Goals Increase the number of donor designations in the U.S. by May 2016 Spread the organ donation message Cultivate a hospital culture that incorporates educating and registering donors as part of their standard mission Let Life Bloom

Why is this campaign important? More than 122,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant in the U.S. Each day, 79 people receive a life-saving organ transplant Still, 18 people die each day while waiting for an organ One organ donor can save 8 lives One tissue donor can improve the lives of 50 people.

Clearing up Misconceptions The Facts: No one is too old to be an organ donor All major religions support organ donation Doctors work just as hard to save the lives of registered organ donors Organ donation does not change the appearance of the body for funeral services Organ donation does not cost the donor family anything Organ donation can give solace to a family experiencing grief and pain People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissues can be donated. No major organized religion prohibits organ and tissue donation – in fact, they consider it an act of charity. If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority of the emergency room doctors is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered after brain death has been declared. Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation does not change the appearance of the body for the funeral service and your family can have an open casket if they wish. There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate for organ donation. Studies show that 85 to 90 percent of families who consented to donation felt it had a positive impact during their time of grief.

Organs & Tissues That Can Be Transplanted Corneas Lungs Heart & Heart Valves Liver Kidneys Pancreas Intestines Femoral Veins Saphenous Veins Corneas can restore site to two people One donor can save the lives of two people in need of a lung transplant. The average waiting time for a lung is over 1,000 days. A heart can save the life of someone with a failing heart. Heart valves can give a failing heart new life. Liver transplantation can save the life of someone with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure One donor can save the lives of two people with renal failure in need of a new kidney A pancreas can be transplanted whole into someone with pancreatitis, or just the insulin-producing cells can be transplanted into someone with diabetes Intestines can be used to replace a recipient’s diseased small intestine, something that is usually done for children with painful short bowel syndrome A vein donor can help as many as three people who have severe vascular diseases or need coronary bypass surgery Donated skin can be used as skin grafts for burn victims One bone donor can help dozens of people – it can be used in orthopedic, neurosurgical, and reconstructive surgeries. Like bones, tendons can be used in orthopedic, neurosurgical, and reconstructive surgeries. Skin Bone Tendons

How are donated organs allocated? Donated organs are administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) All patients have a fair chance of receiving organs Allocation policies are determined by a team Internet-based secure computer database manages waiting lists The likelihood of receiving an available organ depends on several important factors UNOS is the private, nonprofit organization that manages the nation’s organ transplant system under contract with the federal government. The organ allocation system does not discriminate based on a patient’s age, sex, ethnicity, religion, lifestyle or financial/social status. UNOS member organizations, transplant candidates, recipients and donor family members work together to develop organ allocation policies that give every transplant candidate an opportunity at receiving the organ they need. When an organ becomes available, the system can match it to people in need and quickly notify transplant centers. This saves valuable time so organs can be transplanted while they are still viable. Tissue match, blood type, length of time on the waiting list, immune status, distance between the potential recipient and the donor, and degree of medical urgency (for heart, liver, lung and intestines) are all considered so that the best possible match can be made.

How do I register as an organ donor? Register with your state’s donor registry – visit www.organdonor.gov to find out how Designate your decision on your driver’s license Sign a donor card now Talk to your family now about your donation decision Most states, but not all, have donor registries. (Visit www.organdonor.gov/donor for links to individual state registrations. Find your state and copy the instructions to share with your audience.) Do this when you obtain or renew your license Carry the donor card with you until you can designate your donation decision on your driver’s license or join a donor registry. (Visit www.organdonor.gov/donor to print a page of cards you can hand out to your audience) Help your family understand your wish to be an organ and tissue donor before a crisis occurs. Then they will be prepared to serve as your advocate for donation.

How can I help encourage others to register their organ donation decision? Join our hospital’s Hospital Organ Donation Campaign team Volunteer at our next registration drive Spread the organ donation message Give details about who at the hospital (you?) the audience can contact for more information about your hospital’s participation in the campaign. Give details about the next registration drive Encourage audience members to take brochures (available in your campaign tool kit) to give to friends, family, and coworkers