10 organ donation myths

Many times, if you ask someone why they won’t agree to be an organ donor, you learn from them that their main reason is really not a reason: it’s a myth. Why myths are perpetuated is likely through fear. You hear something that frightens you and you pass it on. Some people don’t believe it and others do and will pass it on some more. But what are the myths about organ donation?

1-  I’m too young, not yet 18, so I can’t consent.

While you are too young to sign consent to be an organ donor, if you’ve discussed this with your parents or guardians, they may make that decision for you. Infants have been donors.

2-  I’m too old to donate.

There’s virtually no age limit as to when you have to stop considering yourself to be an organ donor. There is always the possibility that not all the organs would be usable, but wouldn’t you rather be healthy with an older organ than die younger without?

3- I’m too sick.

There are relatively few restrictions when it comes to illness as to whether you can be a donor. If you have an active infection, like HIV, or active cancer, then no, the organs can’t be used. But that’s not the rule for all illnesses. If you have hepatitis for example, your organs could possibly be transplanted to someone else with hepatitis who needs an organ.

4- Emergency room personnel won’t work as hard to save me if I’ve been in an accident if they know I’m a potential organ donor.

Patients who enter the ER after a trauma are seen as patients who need to be saved. They aren’t seen as potential donors. In fact, the staff that is treating you has no say as to whether your organs are even usable. They only know the immediate circumstances and not your medical history.

If you carry an organ donor card, the ER personnel may not even know you are a donor because in the commotion from the accident, transport, and commotion, it’s entirely possible that no-one has had any time to check. If you’re registered in a central database, the last thing an emergency team will do is check for your donor status.

5- Doctors may declare me brain dead even if I’m not because I may appear to be.

The standards for declaring a patient are very vigorous and thorough. It takes more than one or two tests to determine this and doctors have to be absolutely certain before deciding to go ahead with the procedure.

6- My family will have to pay for the surgery to take out my organs and then to sew me back up for the funeral.

This isn’t true. The donor families are not charged for anything related to the organ donation.

7- My family won’t be able to have an open casket so they can say good-bye.

If a person is an organ donor, any areas that may have incisions would be covered by the clothing they wear in the casket. If you’ve donated your eyes, usually false eyes are inserted and the eyelids closed so no-one would ever notice.

8- My religion forbids organ donation.

This is a common myth but most major world religions don’t forbid organ donation and transplantation. The best thing to do is to speak with someone in your faith who is up-to-date on this type of issue.

9- I’ll be kept alive on machines for much longer that I should be, just to keep the organs healthy.

While doctors will keep a potential donor on life support while the donation and transplantation process is put into action, the family is well within their right to say that they won’t allow their loved one to be kept alive for beyond a certain point.

And finally:

10- By signing my organ donation card or registering, I don’t have to worry and my organs will be used if they can be.

Unfortunately, some family members don’t always feel the same way as their loved one did. While you may want to be an organ donor, if you’ve never discussed this with your family, you should. That way, your family knows how you feel and what your wishes are. Chances are, this would decrease the chances of them disallowing your final wishes.

The best way to become a donor is by ensuring the important people in your life are aware of your wishes.

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Click here to read more in this organ donation series.

Image: Marijke Durning