Did you know today is also organ donor day
14 February may have you singing a love song and planning that special dinner for the one who shares your heart but many forget that it is also Organ Donor Day.
POLOKWANE – Organ Donor Day encourages people to sign up to donate their organs. It may save a life.
Sure, it is uncomfortable to think of our own death, especially an early one. But, if it was to happen, you could save other people’s lives. You are giving the gift of life to other people.
Considering signing up to donate your organs and tissue?
Here is how you can get the wheel started to become a donor and give your heart to someone in need.
The process is straightforward.
- Register online or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll free line on 0800 22 66 11.
- They will then send you a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet.
- They will also send you a sticker to put on your ID document and on your driver’s license.
It is very important to discuss the decision with your family. Let them know that you want to donate your organs/tissue after death. Ask them to honour your wish when you die.
The Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa (ODF) is a national non-profit and public benefit organisation, established in 1988, to address the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns aimed at the public and medical professionals.
Here are some facts about organ donation you may not know:
• Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ / tissue donor. The decision about which organs / tissue will be transplanted will be established at your time of death.
• Medical tests will only be carried out at the time of death. This will involve medical professionals evaluating your medical and social history, carrying out blood and culture tests and conducting a physical examination. This is done to ensure that your organs and tissue is suitable for donation.
• An organ transplant takes place after an individual has been declared brain dead but is still being supported on a respirator, whereas tissue retrieval can still take place several hours and even days after death.
Another difference is that the recipient will receive the donated organ shortly after retrieval, whilst tissue is usually stored in a special Tissue Bank and is therefore available for use as and when needed.
• It is essential that organs are removed as soon as possible after brain death has been declared in order to ensure successful transplantation. Legislation requires brain death to be certified by two independent doctors.
In the case of tissue, a donation can take place up to a few days after death. Many people die at work or on the roads and never make it to the hospital. In such instances an organ donation would not be possible, however, a tissue donation, which is equally needed and valuable, can be successfully carried out.
• It costs nothing to sign up as an organ / tissue donor.
• You can change your mind at any time. Simply tear up your organ donor card and remove the sticker from your ID document and driver’s license. Please inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ / tissue donor.
