Know the Facts: Organ Donation

In honor of April being National Donate Life Month, we’re sharing some facts and figures from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services about organ donation. There are many common myths about being an organ donor, but the more factual information you learn about organ donation, the more prepared you’ll be to make a decision about becoming an organ donor or not.

Organ Donation Statistics

• As of January 2019, over 113,000 men, women, and children are on the waiting list for a transplant.
• One organ donor can save eight lives by donating their heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and intestines. 
• 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant.
• A record number of 36,528 organ transplants were done in 2018.
• Only 3 out of 1,000 people die in a way that allows for organ donations.
• Although 95% of adults say they support organ donation, only 58% are actually organ donors.

Common Myths

Have you heard any of these myths below? They all have one thing in common, they’re completely false!

• If they see I’m an organ donor, they won’t try to save my life at the hospital.
• Certain people, like the rich and famous, will receive donated organs faster than other people on the waiting list.
•  I can’t donate organs because of my medical condition.
• I’m too old to be an organ donor.

Whether you’ve heard these myths or any others out there, it’s best to do some research to determine if what you’re hearing is fact or fiction. Visit www.organdonor.gov to learn more about organ donation and decide for yourself if it’s something you’d like to do.

Source: www.organdonor.gov