If you have spent any time around first year medical students during the fall semester, you are familiar with the pungent odor residual from their gross anatomy course. For several weeks, medical students spend countless hours in the lab dissecting a human cadaver. They meticulously remove various tissues and organs within the body so that the lectures regarding the human body come to life in a real and tangible way. Usually during this time it is painfully obvious which of the students is interested in a surgical specialty and those persons like me who possessed no passion for such a career.
To enthusiastic learners, manipulating hearts, lungs, and kidneys brings about such excitement. However, to the thousands of patients awaiting transplants, thoughts of those same organs elicit emotions ranging from joy, hope, and wondrous anticipation of a life not hindered by machines.
Currently there are over 100,000 people awaiting organ donation. Although there are approximately 100 million people registered as donors, 18 people die daily needing a transplant. At least 30 percent of the people needing a transplant are African American.
African Americans disproportionately represent persons receiving dialysis for end-stage kidney disease. Uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes are the disease culprits that lead to such health disparities. Though blacks make up about a third of the kidney transplant needs, fewer blacks donate organs as compared to whites.
This time every year is dedicated to educating the public on organ donation and how important it is for each of us to consider becoming a registered donor. One donor can potentially save up to 50 lives. This past weekend was considered Donor Sabbath and is recognized yearly as a time when the faith community can learn more about the miraculous gift of life. On the other hand, I’m sure for many, you are reading this thinking “This lady is crazy!” She cannot seriously believe that I would allow someone to cut on me or my family member!
Well, you are not alone. I hear those exact sentiments often in my office. However, I am convinced that the misgivings individuals may have as it relates to organ donation are based on myths and not facts. Fear of the unknown hinders our ability to impact lives other than our own. Hopefully, continued education will resolve some of those inaccuracies and improve organ donation rates among people of color.
Fact or Fiction?
- If I decide to donate my organs, my family cannot have an open casket funeral? Fiction! Following the procurement of your organs, your body is surgically repaired and released to the funeral home. The directors then prepare the body as they would any other service. And remember, the body is clothed during the ceremony. Therefore scars are not an issue. And in the case of a bone transplant, for example, metal rods can be placed to give the body form.
Fact or Fiction?
- I have too many health problems to be considered as a potential donor. Fiction! The transplant team will decide who needs to be excluded. If a certain organ cannot be used due to damage, tissue such as skin may very well be suitable for donation. Please allow the medical team to determine the feasibility of the transplant.
Fact or Fiction?
- Medical care will be withheld from me just so that they can get my organs. Fiction! The team treating you is different than the transplant team and is ethically charged with providing whatever care is necessary for your recovery. You will be treated with the same standard of care as a non-donor.
Fact or Fiction?
- Organ donation is against my religion. Fiction! Most religious faiths including Protestants, Catholics and Buddhists generally accept that organ donation is a gift of compassion and is an individual decision. Organ donation for the most part is viewed as an act of love and is viewed favorably within various denominations.
Fact or Fiction?
- I cannot afford to donate my organs. Fiction! There is no cost to you or your family to donate your organs at your death. All fees associated with the donation are paid for by the Organ Procurement Organization. In addition, there is no such thing as selling your organs on the Black Market! The National Organ Transplant Act (Public Law 98-507)strictly prohibits selling human organs.
On average, each day approximately 79 people receive an organ donation. In 2013, about 66 percent of the deceased donors were Caucasian, 17 percent were African American, and 13 percent were Hispanic. Minorities are less likely to experience organ rejection if the organ came from an ethnically similar background. Imagine how many people we would save if each of us became a registered donor.
Yours in Service,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
