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The Delight of Donating

My entire life I have been interested in medicine. This passion began at a rather young

age. As a child, I often found myself invested in books and articles regarding medicine and

health. I would spend hours upon hours every single day trying to learn everything I possibly

could out of the small collection of books I had. This led me to become heavily interested in the

human body. To be honest, I was interested in science in general, however, I spent a great deal of

time learning about the human body specifically. I was particularly interested in learning as

much as I could about the human body because of how health and fitness have always been one

of my main hobbies. As time went on, I gained knowledge on the different disorders and

conditions that can occur in our bodies. This made me dive into learning about organs

specifically and the medical conditions associated with organs. One of the most significant things

that I learned was that organ issues or dysfunctions are relatively common and can often be

life-threatening. I also learned that despite the fact that there are medicines developed to help

with such organ disorders and conditions, sometimes the only cure is an organ transplant.

Through more research, I found out although one may feel as if this is a fairly simple matter, it

most definitely is not. Rest assured, there are many complications associated with the process of

organ donation. For instance, not everyone who requires an organ transplant is able to get one.

This newfound knowledge really intrigued me. Thus, these findings influenced me to study the

topic of organ donation. Donating organs is a commonly performed practice and it has been

proven that it can save plenty of people’s lives who suffer from organ dysfunctions. In addition

to this, there are several organizations across the nation that are dedicated to organ donation.

These organizations are known as organ procurement organizations, or OPOs, for short. Now, I

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want to dive in deeper and learn more about this field. Thus, the question I have chosen to

investigate is: What are the benefits of donating organs and what impact will it have?

The practice of organ donation has been around for a long time. This is because people

have always required organ and tissue transplants. There have always been people, dating back

to the early humans, who experienced organ issues. However, people did not have the technology

necessary to conduct a successful organ transplant back then. This resulted in there being no

treatment available for those with organ health conditions, and thus, they were left to die.

Fortunately, we as a whole, have come far from these primitive ways. We no longer need to

worry about losing our lives if we are diagnosed with organ abnormalities. We have developed

the technology required to perform a successful organ transplant. This means that we are now

able to save many lives through the kind act of organ donation. In fact, organ donation actually is

not a very recent marvel. According to “The History of Organ Donation and Transplantation,”

“In 1954, the kidney was the first human organ to be transplanted successfully. Liver, heart and

pancreas transplants were successfully performed by the late 1960s, while lung and intestinal

organ transplant procedures were begun in the 1980s.” This is explaining how the first successful

organ transplant occurred in 1954, followed by successful transplants for other organs over the

years. This is very important because it shows that how organs transplants became possible over

sixty-five years ago. Also, organ donation has only been growing and has been promoted more

and more since then. This is proven by the fact that in 2006, “Donate Life America launched its

Donor Designation Collaborative to increase the total number of registered donors in the U.S. to

100 million” (“Timeline of Historical Events and Significant Milestones”). This information is

presenting the significant event in organ donation history where Donate Life America, a

nonprofit organization that promotes and manages organ donation, began a program that would

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aid in raising the amount of people that register to be organ donors. The effectiveness of this

program launched by Donate life America can be shown when it is said that, “4.6 million people

have said "yes" to organ and tissue donation by adding the donor designation to their driver’s

license, learner's permit or state identification card. But this represents only half of those eligible

to register, so we have a lot of work left to do” (“Know the Facts About Organ and Tissue

Donation”). This information is depicting how there is a great number of people that have agreed

to the act of donating organs and have registered to be organ donors, specifically in the state of

Pennsylvania. While this is a great achievement and there has definitely been an increase in the

number of registered donors since organ donation first became possible, we can still strive for

more. We should aim for complete and total success. In this case, complete success would be

when everyone eligible to be a donor, should be registered to be an organ donor. In other words,

the percentage should be close to one hundred percent, if not exactly one hundred percent.

Although this may seem like a bit of a stretch considering that the percentage of registered

donors in Pennsylvania is roughly fifty percent, (“Know the Facts About Organ and Tissue

Donation”) it is definitely possible by spreading more awareness. Furthermore, “deceased organ

donors can donate: kidneys (2), liver, lungs (2), heart, pancreas, and intestines. In 2014, hands

and faces were added to the organ transplant list” (“What Can Be Donated”). This information

portrays the fact that organ donation has really evolved since it first started over sixty-five years

ago because of how one person is able to make a huge impact on many lives nowadays. This is

why it is crucial for more people to start registering as organ donors.

Unfortunately, many people suffer from organ dysfunctions, which can lead to potential

death. This is very tragic because a successful organ transplant would have given the individual a

chance to live. This is shown in the article “Organ Donation Benefits are ‘Stellar’” when Karen

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Kaplan states, “Hearts, kidneys and other donated organs have added more than 2 million years

to the lives of the American patients who received them, according to a new analysis.” This is

demonstrating how there has been a tremendous amount of people throughout the United States

who have experienced organ issues and a successful organ transplant was able to give them their

health in addition to a second chance at life. The importance and vast benefits are portrayed here

because of how the simple act of donating organs was able to make such a huge impact on

people’s lives. Furthermore, currently, there is a shortage of organs which affects those who

require them. This is explained when it is said that “there are more than 120,000 people awaiting

transplantation. If it’s hard to imagine what 120,000 people look like, picture a football stadium,

completely filled with people and about 20,000 waiting outside” (“5 Quick Facts About Organ

Donation”). This is important because of how there is a large population of people who require

organ transplants, however, are unable to receive the transplant due to a lack of available organs.

Additionally, the shortage of organs is growing due to the fact that “Every ten minutes, one

person is added to the transplant waiting list” (Donor Network West). This information is very

overwhelming because more and more people require organ transplants as time passes, however,

the number of people that register to be organ donors is nowhere near the number of people in

need of organ transplants. It is essential to bring light to this issue because of how people are

losing their lives and it is very avoidable since there is a proven solution - organ donation. This is

further explained by Theresita Gonzalez, an expert on the topic of organ donation, when she

explains that, “there are roughly 113,000 people on the waiting list and more specifically, in

Contra Costa County, California, as of January 31st, there are 801 men, women, and children that

are waiting for organ transplants.” This is also very critical because of how it presents statistics

in order to bring attention to the fact that many people who require organ transplants in order to

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live are placed on a waiting list full of many other people and have no other option but to be

patient. However, the issue is that time is of the essence in this situation. Many of the people on

the organ waitlist require organ transplants quite urgently and don’t have time to spare if they

wish to see the future. These sources all show that there are not enough organ donors and several

people with organ dysfunctions are having to suffer because of this. Luckily, there are ways this

issue can be solved.

Luckily, there are methods to aid individuals in need of organs who are on the waitlist.

The most helpful of which would be to simply increase the supply of available organs. Although

this may appear to be rather elementary, there is a whole process that needs to occur in order for

there to be an incline in the availability of organs. For instance, more people need to become

organ donors. This is because the more people that are registered as organ donors result in there

being more potential for organs donations. This is due to the fact that “less than one percent of all

people who die, are even candidates to be organ donors” (Brache). Carlos Brache, another expert

in the field of organ donation goes on to further explain that, “say you have a hundred people,

who die, only one person potentially has the possibility to even be an organ donor. Out of that

less than one percent population, approximately sixty-five to seventy-five percent of people say

yes to organ donation.” In this comprehensive and informative explanation, Brache discussed

how there is a scarcity of available organs using numbers and statistics in order to really capture

how severe the issue is. This information is particularly pertinent in understanding the urgency of

the situation because of how there is a very minute amount of people that actually become organ

donors due to “a very specific set of circumstances” (Brache). These circumstances result in only

about one percent of all deceased registered donors to even become candidates for organ

donation. In addition to this minuscule amount, only a fraction of this one percent agree to organ

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donation. This results in less than one percent of people donating organs at all. Hence there is a

shortage of organs in consequence of this despairing statistic. Although it may seem as if there is

no hope for people in desperate need of organ transplants, it does not need to be this way. If more

people start registering to become organ donors and agree to donate organs when the time comes,

the available supply of organs for people who need them will increase. This is further explained

when Howard M. Nathan, the president and CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program, analyzes

that:

“By saying yes to organ and tissue donation, one person can save or enhance the

lives of more than 50 people. Organ and tissue donation can free people from

dialysis treatments, give the gift of sight, repair joints, save limbs or help burn

victims heal. Each day, 18 people on the national organ waiting list die because an

appropriate match wasn't found in time. The likelihood of finding a match

increases with more registered donors” ("April is National Donate Life Month,

According to DonateLife-PA: As Demand for Organ Donors Continues,

Pennsylvanians are Encouraged to Consider Registering as Organ and Tissue

Donors").

In this explanation, Nathan teaches about how much of an impact just one person can really

have. Nathan does this by presenting accurate numbers regarding very significant information

like how many people one person can help through donation. Furthermore, Nathan also touched

on the matter of approximately how many people pass away every day due to not being able to

get an organ transplant on time. Needless to say, the more people that register to become organ

donors there are, the more organs there will be available for people whose lives depend on them.

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This is why there needs to be an increase in people signing up to be organ donors - so that they

can give someone the gift of life.

Many people will agree that the act of donating organs is a very kind, humane, and even

ethical practice. More people should be encouraged to donate organs because of this. How

beneficial donating organs can be is shown when it is affirmed that, “One organ and tissue donor

can save up to 8 lives and help more than 75 people” (“Know the Facts About Organ Donation”).

This statement depicts the fact that it only takes one person to make an impact on such a plentiful

amount of people. This is very crucial in understanding organ donation because of the impact

one donor can have on over eighty recipients. Theresita Gonzalez also shares her thoughts on the

topic when she says, “You’re not going to take your parts with you when you pass, so might as

well give somebody else a chance at life. You can give a family back their father, you can give

their mother back, you can give their child back by being a donor.” In this discussion, Gonzalez

shares her views on organ donation and why people should register to be organ donors. She

emphasized how someone will not need their organs once they pass away, therefore they should

donate those parts to someone who does need them. In fact, this is becoming more and more

crucial as the number of people who require organ transplants just keeps growing. This is stated

in the article “Organ Donation, the Ultimate Gift of Compassion” when it is emphasized that,

“there are nearly 5,300 people in our region – and more than 115,000 nationally – whose lives

depend on the kindness of strangers to make a choice that will give them a second chance at

life.” This is explaining how there are many people losing their lives and how this can change

through the kind act of donating organs. Although it may be a rather bitter reality to face - that

people have to rely “on the kindness of strangers” in order to hold onto their own life - it is the

way that it is and there can not be much done about it. The only thing that can be done, however,

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is to help these people holding onto their dear lives. This is why organ donation needs to gain

prominence and everyone should register to be an organ donor as an act of kindness so that when

they pass away they “can save up to 8 lives and help more than 75 people” (“Know the Facts

About Organ and Tissue Donation”). Moreover, in Michael Zimmerman’s “Donating Organs: A

Gift of Love from a Unsung Hero,” Jeanne Ward tells us that “Through these donations, Jennifer

was able to help 23 people which makes us feel good.” This is explaining how one person was

able to aid twenty-three people. This is quite significant because of how one person was able to

make a positive impact on a large number of people’s lives. This statement should be enough to

convince people to take part in this act of generosity, especially since it causes them no harm.

Contrary to what many may believe, the act of deceased organ donation does not

necessitate any sort of harm towards the donor. For the longest time, this has been one of the

primary counterarguments in opposition to organ donation. However, it has been disproven when

it was stated, “Donation is not liable to cause significant and long-term morbidity to, or the death

of the donor” (Williams). In this text, Nicola Jane Williams is affirming that the organ donor is

not subject to any notable harm. The same point was also proven when it was revealed that

“Studies in the developed countries have shown that organ donation does not directly affect the

donor” (Our). This is quite momentous because of how the donor is not losing anything while

they are potentially saving another life.

Ultimately, the act of donating organs has proven to be a very positive thing. It has been

shown that there are some huge benefits to it and how it can change someone’s life at no cost

whatsoever. There are a variety of reasons why organ donation should be encouraged more. A

few would include the rising demand for available organs, the lack of available organs for those

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in need, and how organ dysfunctions can be life-threatening. Everyone should have a chance at

life and registering to be an organ donor can bring hope to all those that are on the waiting list.

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Works Cited

“5 Quick Facts About Organ Donation” Penn Medicine, 26 March 2019,

https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/transplant-update/2019/march/5-quick-facts

-about-organ-donation. Accessed 5 March 2020.

"April is National Donate Life Month, According to DonateLife-PA: As Demand for Organ

Donors Continues, Pennsylvanians are Encouraged to Consider Registering as Organ and

Tissue Donors." PR Newswire, Mar 15, 2011. ProQuest,

https://search.proquest.com/wire-feeds/april-is-national-donate-life-month-according/doc

view/856980770/se-2?accountid=193803.

Brache, Carlos. Donation Program Consultant. Personal Interview. 2 April 2021.

Donor Network West. “Organ Donation in California & Nevada.” Donor Network West,

Donor Network West, 1 May 2021, www.donornetworkwest.org/.

Gonzalez, Theresita. Community Development Liaison. Personal Interview. 18 March 2021.

Kaplan, Karen. "Organ Donation Benefits are 'Stellar'." Los Angeles Times, Jan 30, 2015.

ProQuest,

https://search.proquest.com/newspapers/organ-donation-benefits-are-stellar/docview/226

2553583/se-2?accountid=193803.

“Know the Facts About Organ and Tissue Donation.” DonateLife PA, 16 June 2020,

donatelifepa.org/why-donate/donation-facts/.

“Organ Donation, the Ultimate Gift of Compassion.” Gift of Life Donor Program - Saving Lives

Through Organ Donation |, 9 Aug. 2019,

www.donors1.org/organ-donation-the-ultimate-gift-of-compassion/.

Our, Staff R. "`Organ Donation does Not Affect Donor'." The Hindu, Jan 21, 2002, pp. 1.

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ProQuest,

https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/organ-donation-does-not-affect-donor/docview/28

6333844/se-2?accountid=193803.

“The History of Organ Donation and Transplantation.” UNOS, 11 Feb. 2021,

unos.org/transplant/history/.

“Timeline of Historical Events and Significant Milestones.” Organ Donor, 4 Dec. 2018,

www.organdonor.gov/about/facts-terms/history.html.

“What Can Be Donated.” Organ Donor, 27 Apr. 2020, www.organdonor.gov/about/what.html.

Williams, Nicola Jane. “On Harm Thresholds and Living Organ Donation: Must the Living

Donor Benefit, on Balance, from His Donation?” Medicine, Health Care, and

Philosophy, 19 May 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5814517/.

Accessed 4 March 2020.

Zimmerman, Michael. "Donating Organs: A Gift of Love from a Unsung Hero." Afro -

American, Dec, 2007, pp. 2-A1,A5. ProQuest,

https://search.proquest.com/newspapers/donating-organs-gift-love-unsung-hero/docview/

367432191/se-2?accountid=193803.

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