Myth: If emergency room doctors know youre an organ donor, they wont work as hard to save you.
Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted
to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered if you die and after
your family has been consulted.
Myth: When youre waiting for a transplant, your financial
status or celebrity status is as important as your medical status.
Fact: When you are on the transplant
waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type and other
important medical information.
Myth: Having "organ donor" noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor
card is all you have to do to become a donor.
Fact: While a signed donor card and a driver's
license with an "organ donor" designation are legal documents, organ and tissue donation is always discussed with family members
prior to the donation. To ensure that your family understands your wishes, it is important that you share your decision to
donate LIFE.
Myth: I am 60 years old. I am too old to be a donor.
Fact: 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 tissue
can be donated.
Myth: My family will be charged for donating my organs.
Fact: There is no cost to the donor's family
or estate for organ and tissue donation. Funeral costs remain the responsibility of the family. |