|
Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
Facts
Having been a successful
college athlete and never skipping a training day over the years, I continued
entering road races and attempting to win my age group each weekend.
Unfortunately, when I passed age 50 decades of running, karate, volleyball,
soccer and working out wore out the cartilage in my knee. I had micro
fracture surgery in 2010 to attempt to fix my knee. The knee improved for a
short time, but I was back to the hospital. The fine doctors at University
Orthopedic advised of a new FDA approved procedure and medical study.
I volunteered for this medical
study for knee cartilage repair. The knee doctor inserted a cadaver cartilage
piece in left knee. The study was funded by Zimmer Pharmaceutical. I am now a
recipient of an organ donation.
I
thank the family of the kind and generous donation of living tissue. I want
the family and public to know their decision to donate has changed my life in
a very positive way.
I will never be winning the races again, but I am
happy to run and bike daily. I am now able to run charity 5k races without
pain. I urge friends to sign organ
donor card and have a Living Will prepared.
What is National Donate Life Month? Originally a weeklong observance, it was
officially recognized as a month-long event.
The celebration commemorates those who have received or continue to
wait for life-saving transplants and honors those who died while waiting.
|
|
Who can
be a donor? 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.
|
|
Does my
religion support organ and tissue donation? Every major religion in the United States supports organ and tissue
donation as one of the highest expressions of compassion and generosity.
|
|
Is
there a cost to be an organ, eye and tissue donor? There is no cost to the donor’s family or estate
for donation. The donor family pays only for medical expenses before death
and costs associated with funeral arrangements.
|
|
Does my
social and/or financial status play any part in whether or not I will receive
an organ if I ever need one?
No. When you are on the transplant
waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your
illness, body size, tissue type, blood type and other important medical
information.
|
|
Why
should I register to be an organ and tissue donor? Organ and tissue transplants offer patients a new
chance at healthy, productive, and normal lives and return them to their
families, friends and communities. To
learn more or to register to become an organ and tissue donor, visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org. Also contact
your attorney to have a Living Will/ Advance Directive prepared.
|
|
|
