Story: Donating organs: myths and reality
Donating organs
Donating organs: myths and reality
08:49 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 29, 2006Cox News Service
As of April, 92,000 names were on the national organ transplant list. Because of the lack of available organs for transplant, 17 of those people die each day, on average.
Why don't people donate organs?
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Because they harbor myths about the process, according to Dr. Syvil S. Burke, associate operating officer for transplant services at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C.
Myth: Doctors will not work as hard to save the life of an organ donor.
"That is simply not true," says Dr. Burke. "The medical staff working to save a patient's life is completely separate from the organ procurement agency." In the great majority of cases, the emergency personnel have no idea whether the patient they are treating is a potential donor.
Myth: There is an age limit on organ donation.
People of all ages and medical histories may be organ and tissue donors. Physical condition, not age, will determine what organs and tissues can be donated.
Myth: Organs are sold, sometimes on the black market.
"Neither organ donors nor their families receive any financial compensation for becoming an organ donor," says Dr. Burke.
Federal law prohibits buying and selling organs ! in the U nited States.