Did you know? Myths and facts about organ donation

More than 119,000 people in the United States are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant (American Transplant Foundation, 2014).

To date, 461,776 transplants have occurred in the U.S. since 1988 (American Transplant Foundation, 2014). The month of April is National Donate Life Month-Organ and Tissue Donation.

Research has shown the number one reason people are not organ donors, is associated with lack of knowledge henceforth creating the perceptions of myths. In lieu of allowing myths to circulate, this article will dispel several myths associated with organ donation.

Myth 1: If doctors know that I am registered to be an organ or tissue donor, they won't work as hard to save my life.

Fact: The first priority of a medical professional is to save lives when sick or injured people come to the hospital. Organ and tissue donation isn't even considered or discussed until after death is declared.

Typically, doctors and nurses involved in a person's care before death are not involved in the recovery or transplantation of donated corneas, organs or tissues

Myth 2: If you are rich or a celebrity, you can move up the waiting list more quickly.

Fact: Severity of illness, time spent waiting, blood type and match potential are the factors that determine your place on the waiting list. A patient's income, race or social status are never taken into account in the allocation process.

Myth 3: After donating an organ or tissue, a closed casket funeral is the only option.

Fact: Organ procurement organizations treat each donor with the utmost respect and dignity, allowing a donor's body to be viewed in an open casket funeral.

Myth 4: After donating an organ or tissue, a closed casket funeral is the only option.

Fact: Organ procurement organizations treat each donor with the utmost respect and dignity, allowing a donor's body to be viewed in an open casket funeral.

Myth 5: I cannot choose what I want to donate.

Facts: You may specify what organs or tissues you want to donate on your donor card. Your wishes will be followed.

Myth 6: Maybe I won't really be dead when they sign my death certificate.

Fact: Although it's a popular topic in the tabloids, in reality, people don't start to wiggle their toes after they're declared dead. In fact, people who have agreed to organ donation are given more tests (at no charge to their families) to determine that they're truly dead than are those who haven't agreed to organ donation

Dispelling myths associated with organ donation, and other pertained health issue is crucial in health education.

For more information on health promotion/education, please feel free to contact us at 653-8411.

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April 9: Area Small Farm Clinic -- Ivy Tech Terre Haute

April 16: Greencastle Farmers Market Home based Vendor program -- Putnam Extension office

April 24: Canning and Food Preservation - Putnam County Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

April 28: Fair Board Meeting, Community Building 7:30 p.m.

April 29: Spring Dessert. Community Building 6:30 p.m.

May 7: Small Fruit Workshop -- White Violate Center St. Mary of the Woods College