KY ORGAN DONOR AFFILIATES

Organ donation may occur in brain death situations, allowing a person to donate kidneys, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas and small bowel. An individual must be maintained on a respirator, so that the organs remain viable for transplantation.

WHO CAN DONATE? Those who are declared brain dead are eligible to donate organs. Medical suitability is determined in each individual case, so no one should rule themselves out. Out of all deaths that occur in the U. S. annually, approximately 1% progress to brain death.

THE NEED Currently, there are over 110,000 individuals in the United States awaiting a life-saving organ transplant. A new name is added to the list every 14 minutes. An average of 18 people die each day, due to the lack of a donated organ.

ORGANS THAT CAN BE DONATED Heart Kidneys Liver Lungs Pancreas Small Bowel

WHAT IS BRAIN DEATH? The total irreversible cessation of ALL brain activity, including cerebellum, cerebrum and the brain stem; An established medical and legal diagnosis of death, defined by “Harvard criteria; Brain Death IS Death.

TISSUE DONATION Remains an option for up to twenty four hours after the heart stops beating and death is declared and is a possibility even if the deceased did not die in a hospital. Tissue recovery is a sterile procedure which is conducted in a manner very similar to traditional surgery.

WHO CAN DONATE? The criteria for tissue donation varies. Most people, regardless of age or prior medical history are able to donate some tissue. No one should assume that their tissue can not be used because of their age or medical condition.

THE NEED Hundreds of thousands of people are treated every year using donated tissue. Nationwide, more than eight hundred thousand tissue grafts are annually distributed. Medical researchers continue to discover new ways to treat patients using donated tissue, resulting in greater need each year.

TISSUES WHICH CAN BE DONATED Whole Eye/Corneas Heart Valves Skin Bone Saphenous Veins

AFTERCARE PROGRAM FOR DONOR FAMILIES KODA’s Aftercare Program is a continuation of the care given to donor families at the time of donation. Donor families receive an initial letter explaining how many individuals were helped through the “Gift of Life.” Donor families receive correspondence from KODA every three months for fifteen months, including literature on coping with death and grief, the newsletter for donor families entitled “For Those Who Give and Grieve”, a reading list, and other helpful information.

KODA: TO HELP FAMILIES  ANNUAL DONOR RECOGNITION CEREMONY  DONOR FAMILY READING ROOM AND LIBRARY  DONOR FAMILY WEBSITE  THE NATIONAL DONOR MEMORIAL  “GIFT OF LIFE” ROSE  FAMILY CIRCLE – ROSE PARADE FLOAT AND DEDICATION TO DONORS

THE DONOR MEMORIAL IN FRANKFORT, KY

DONOR FAMILY QUILTS

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