Donating Life

This week’s article is dedicated to the brave people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant  and their families, as well as my sister, Heather, who has spent a large part of her professional career working with transplant patients and their families.  Keep up the good work, Sis!

According to the United Network for Organ Donation, almost 100,000 people are currently in need of a life-saving organ transplant.  That’s a lot of people and the number is growing.  Every 12 minutes another name is added to the national organ waiting list.  Unfortunately, not everyone on the waiting list will be matched with an organ and on average 18 people will die each day due to the lack of organs available for transplant.  It seems like such a shame that every day plenty of viable organs are not getting to the people who desperately need them.

When planning your estate, and contemplating the legacy you want to leave, consider donating your organs.  Even people with modest or no estate at all can literally save someone’s life with the gift of an organ, bone marrow or body tissue.  It may shock you to know that although 90% of Americans say they support organ donation, only 30% know the essential steps to become a donor.  Leaving life as a legacy is quite a thing to do, but how does one go about making sure their organs are donated?

One way Connecticut residents can become an organ donor is through the Department of Motor Vehicles.  When applying or renewing your driver’s license or state identification card add an organ donor notification.  If you already have a driver’s license, there is an area on the back of the license where you can indicate that you are a donor.  The problem with organ donation through your driver’s license is that at the time you pass away and your organs become viable for donation- who knows if your driver’s license will be available and if it is who knows if it will be checked?  If you do indicate your donor status on your driver’s license, be sure to notify your family of your intent.  They may be able to speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Another method for becoming an organ donor is to execute an advanced health care directive (a living will).  Within a living will people can donate organs as well as specify uses for the organs donated.  Some people want to donate for transplant purposes only; others want to donate for transplant and scientific research.   Living wills are filed with your doctor, which will serve as notice to your doctor your wishes on the subject of organ donation.  Making your wishes known in a legal document takes the burden off of your family to make this decision during a very difficult time.

Although in Connecticut there is no legal requirement for your family to consent, it is always a good idea to let your family know your intentions on organ donation.  Tell as many people you can that you want to donate your organs and encourage them to do so as well.   Leave the legacy of life through your estate plan.