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Health & Fitness

Organ Donation: The Gift of Life

By donating your organs, you are providing the possibility of renewed life for someone else in desperate need.

 

By donating your organs, you are providing the possibility of renewed life for someone else in desperate need.  There are some facts you should know about organ donation so you can make an informed and most important decision in your (and possibly someone else’s) life.

The demand is far greater than the available supply.  More than 90,000 Americans are on a waiting list for transplants.  Another person is added to the waiting list every 16 minutes.  In the US, 17 people die daily while waiting for an organ transplant. 

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The shortage of organs and tissues persists despite the fact that the public supports organ and tissue donation.  85% of the population supports organ donation, including strong support from health care professionals and virtually all organized religions. Less than 30% of the public have actually signed a donor card or discussed the issue with their families. Of all the deaths in the US, only 1-2% could result in organ donation – only about 50% of those individuals actually donate. If everyone who could donate did so, the waiting list for transplants would be greatly reduced. 

The high success rates of transplantation make the shortage of organs and tissues all the more tragic.  Transplant survival rates keep increasing. The survival rates for transplants are about 95% for kidney recipients, 85% for liver and heart recipients and 75% for lung recipients. 

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Donation is a decision for you to research, think about and discuss.  Get the information you need to make an informed decision. Unless your spouse/family specifically knows your wishes on organ donation, even if you signed an organ donor card or have it designated on your driver’s license, your family may chose to do as THEY wish when organ donation is presented.  If organ donation is your wish, then make sure you sign your organ donation cards/ drivers license AND make your family and doctors aware of your wishes.  

People don't die because of organ donation. Organ donation happens because people die.  Organ donation does not happen until after brain death occurs. The law clearly states that the doctor who pronounces brain death must have nothing to do with the removal or transplantation of organs.  You will be treated with the best possible medical care regardless of your donor status.

 

This topic is one that is close to my heart, having my sister’s life renewed with lung transplantation years ago.  The young donor and her family gave us the most precious gift available on Earth- the gift of life.  Whether my sister’s life had been prolonged one day or one decade, it was well worth it. 

A simple trip to your local DMV driver’s center can leave you with the “OrganDonor” designation on your card and a short discussion with your family can make your wishes known.  

Conshohocken Physical Therapy is not an ordinary Physical Therapy clinic. We believe in changing your life. We are driven by the desire to make a positive impact, both personally and therapeutically, on every person who enters our office.

You will experience pain relief, improved motion and a greater quality of life. Our approach is friendly, evidence-based and innovative and our Doctors of Physical Therapy have the most specialized training in treating your body.

Learn more about Conshohocken Physical Therapy by visiting us online at www.conshypt.com.

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