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Becoming and Organ Donor

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Become an Organ Donor
Marylou Schreiner
COMM/215
January 13, 2014
Ruth Palumbo

Become an Organ Donor
The New Year is here and it’s the time of year full of cheer, love, gift giving, and resolutions. Why not consider the resolution of giving the gift of life by becoming an organ donor? According to the Mayo Clinic, “over 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ donation. (Mayo Clinic 2013).In fact, the latest number from UNOS is 120,860. In additions eighteen people will die every day waiting for the life saving organ to come. They will never receive the call stating, “we found a match.” The call that can that give them a second chance at life.
Most of us don’t think about what happens to the body after you die. It is a sensitive subject matter people prefer not to think about, let alone discuss with their families and friends. However, everyone should take the time to discuss the importance of, “how can I help others if I were to die? Various questions should be asked: Why should I donate my organs? What are the benefits? Are there any reasons not to? What happens to me? These are excellent questions that can be answered by viewing the OrganDonor.gov website.
Many people do not think about signing a donor card because of the many myths surrounding organ transplant and tissue donation. Most of these myths are not true and are based on fear. Some of these fears include: the hospital staff won’t work as hard to save my life, maybe I won’t really be dead when they sign my death certificate, organ donation is against my religion, I am under age 18 and too young, I am too old, or I have medical issues and nobody would want my organs. All of these myths are false. All potential donors are evaluated when the time arises for donation by a member of the local Organ Procurement Agency (OPO). Being an organ donor will not affect

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