Organ Donation

Over 106,000 Americans are on transplant waiting lists (4,500 in NJ) In 1988, 4,080 people donated organs after death. In 2008, that number has nearly doubled to 7,990 Occurs in only.0025% of all U.S. deaths Individuals who donate after death can provide organs, corneas, skin, bone and tissue for 50 or more people in need In 2008, there were 27,965 organ transplants performed in the U.S.

Organ Donation in NJ In 2009, 184 NJ residents donated their organs Last year, 616 transplants were performed in NJ In 2009 –220 bone donors –312 skin donors –535 eyes recovered 55% of donors in 2009 were 0-49, 35% of between 50-64, & 8% of donors were 65+ years old

Over the last 10 years, there has been a 27% increase in donors. –31% increase in kidney transplants –19% increase in heart transplants –33% decrease in liver transplants –25% increase in pancreas transplants 29% of New Jersey residents are registered donors. 38% of U.S. drivers are registered nationwide In 2009, close to 200 NJ residents died while waiting for a transplant. Nationwide, 17 people die each day

An estimated 220,000 Americans are treated with transplanted bone and tissue each year. (tendons, ligaments, skin, heart valves and eye corneas) About 46,000 cornea transplants are performed annually, with more than 5,000 people waiting for donated corneas Most children who need organ transplants are waiting for kidney donations

44% of people waiting for organ transplants are between the ages of 18 and % of Americans waiting for organs are male; 43% female Survival rates for organ recipients continue to rise –One year survival rate for kidney recipients is 95% –heart recipients 85% –liver recipients 77% –pancreas recipients 77% Between 1996 and 2001, one year survival rates for lung recipients increased by almost 34% No cost to be an organ and tissue donor

Cornea transplant after one year of healing, two stitches are visible A human eye 1 day after a cornea transplant

How Donation Works Doctors examine your organs to determine if you have the potential to become an organ or tissue donor All potential donors are tested for HIV, active cancer, hepatitis, and other viral and bacterial diseases Donation takes place as quickly as possible after declaration of death Blood testing must be done, the organs stabilized, recipients prepared, and an operating room arranged

Anyone can be a donor. A person’s physical condition, not age, determines the potential for organ and tissue donation Ask for the donor designation to be added to your driver’s license and let your family see that you support organ donation. If you are under 18, your family can make all decisions regarding donation Talk to your family about your wishes

You can donate your heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine Many patients who are organ donors may also be candidates for tissue donation following the organ recovery (12-24 hours) A patient’s age, gender, race, ethnicity or wealth do not affect who receives available organs Every major religion supports donation

The decision to be an organ donor will in no way affect the level of medical care for a sick or injured person The team of doctors and nurses involved in treating the patient is not involved with the transplant/recovery team, which is called only after death has occurred Want to donate your entire body to medical science? –Contact a medical school and make arrangements before you die