Do You Want to Save Lives? Donate an Organ!

If you are in need of a certain donor organ, you probably got through a lot of emotions. This article will explain to you all you need to know about this procedure. Keep reading!

What is an Organ Transplant?

Organ transplantation can be defined as a medical procedure that involves the transfer of a healthy body organ from one body to the other. This surgery is performed so as to replace one a damaged or missing organ in the recipient’s body. This procedure is often lifesaving, and it rejuvenates the life of a recipient.

The donor and the recipient may be on the same geographical location, but at some point, there may be in different locations, and the organ will have to be transported to the recipient's location. Organs that can be transplanted include intestines, heart, lung, liver, pancreas as well as the kidney. There are some instances where doctors will have to transplant two organs in one surgery.

Kidney transplants are the most common globally, and the least common type of organ transplant is the cornea transplant.

 

How Many Patients are Waiting for an Organ Transplant?

To show you how popular the organ transplant surgery is; more than 36,500 organ transplants were performed in the United States alone. In the United Kingdom, the number of people currently alive due to organ transplants was reported to be 50, 300 in 2017, and it’s now close to reaching 60, 000.

According to the United Network of Organ Sharing (a nonprofit organization based in the US), there are 114, 000 patients (over 2,000 children) who are currently on the waiting list for an organ transplant surgery. In every ten minutes that passes, another name is added on the waiting list.

Most organ recipients are adults between the ages of 50 and 64, and most of these donor organs have been sourced from deceased donors. On average, there are 20 people who die on a daily basis due to a lack of available organs for the plant.

 

The Importance of Organ Transplant

As indicated above, organ transplants help save lives and it gives a new lease of life to people who have missing organs or affected by terminal organ failures. This life-saving surgery has grown over the last two decades, and it usually has excellent results in both children and adults.

It goes without saying that donating an organ is a generous decision that can help save lives of up to eight individuals. In some cases, it can go over eight individuals especially when the donor can give corneas and tissue.

 

Who are Suitable Organ and Blood Donors?

Regardless of age, medical history, race or even gender, anyone can qualify as a suitable organ and tissue donor, and this comes with no cost at all. The donation professionals will review your medical history so as to see if you are able to donate. With the technological advancement of equipment used in organ transplantation, more people can donate an organ than it ever was before.

 

Which Types of Organ Transplants are Possible?

As highlighted above, there are different types of organ transplant surgeries that can be performed to save lives. Here is a brief discussion around each type:

Heart Transplant

This type of an organ transplant is complex, and this means that a strict medical criterion is done so as to determine whether the donor is suitable for transplant or whether the recipient qualifies to receive the heart.

Lung Transplant

One lung or both lungs from a recently deceased donor can be used to replace the diseased lungs of a patient.

Liver transplant

A liver transplant can also be referred to as hepatic transplant. One’s diseased liver can be replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. Liver donors can either be a recently deceased donor or a patient’s family member who may volunteer to donate a part of his liver to the patient.

Pancreas Transplants

This type of organ transplant is usually performed on type 1 diabetics patients whose pancreas is giving them problems.

Cornea Transplant

This type of transplant helps restore vision to patients who are affected by corneal disease. Surgery can be performed to replace a cloudy or damaged cornea with a healthy cornea that can be donated by another person.

Trachea Transplant

Patients who are suffering from the hardening or rather the narrowing of their windpipe can benefit from a trachea transplant.

Kidney Transplant

This transplant can be done with a kidney obtained from a living or deceased donor. It is the most common type of organ transplant that is performed globally.

Skin Transplant

Patients who have suffered from severe burn injuries can benefit from this type of transplant. It can also be an effective way that promotes healing until the patient is ready to undergo skin grafting.

Vascular tissues transplant

Vascular tissues can be donated up to 24 hours after a person has died. This type of transplant can help a patient who is suffering from cardiovascular conditions.

 

You can save a life today by simply donating an organ to one of the patients who are clinging to life at your nearest hospital. If you need any assistance on how to go about the whole process, you can get hold of us through our Contacts Page.

This content is edited by Flymedi Medical Editors in September 2019.