United Methodist Church View of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
Organ and tissue donation can take many forms from donating a kidney or bone marrow to stem cell donation and organ donation a the time of death. We have many ways to consider donation. A popular approach is the living donor, which is a person who donates an organ that is duplicated in their body such as a kidney. In addition, new research is allowing transplantation of “living” liver tissue.
I have found that when the conversation of organ donation comes up, people typically say something like, “No one would want my organs." This outlook is probably due to lack of knowledge. Donation is not limited to donating organs. For example, skin, which we forget is an organ, the cornea of the eyes, bones, and heart valves can all be donated and transplanted. In my work environment, I am amazed at the number of transplant patients I am meeting who are wonderful examples of continued life thanks to an organ donor.
In exploring this topic, Barb Saltarella and I referred to the United Methodist Book of Discipline that contains a section titled, "The Social Community." The following important paragraph is quoted from this book:
"We believe that organ transplantation and organ donation are acts of charity, agape love, and self sacrifice. We recognize the life giving benefits of organ and other tissue donation and encourage all people of faith to become organ and tissue donors as part of their love and ministry to others in need."
Here are some practical questions and answers about donation.
Q: Are there limits for donors?
A: No. Your physical health is the important factor. Babies to elderly can donate.
Q: Does donation disfigure the body?
A: No. Organ procurement is a surgical operation done under sterile technique.
Q: What does donation cost?
A: There is no charge to the donor. The recipient will pay via insurance or Medicare or Medicaid.
Q: Who can donate?
A: Anyone and everyone. People under 18 years of age need parental consent.
Q: How many people are awaiting transplant?
A: Approximately 300 new candidates are added to the waiting list every month.
Q: What can be donated?
A: Heart, lungs, kidneys, intestines, pancreas, liver, corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, connective tissue, stem cells, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood can all be donated.
Q: Does knowledge of organ donation effect my treatment when I am a patient in the hospital?
A: No. There is no effect on medical therapies.
Q: If I sign my Driver's license as an organ donor, will my wishes be carried out?
A: This could be tricky. It's important that your family knows your wishes about organ donation because they may need to sign consent forms.
You can find more information on organ and tissue donation on the following Web sites:
United States Government Information on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation at http://www.organdonor.gov/
Upstate New York Transplant Services at http://www.unyts.org/
As always, this information has been developed for the Health Corner to advance our health, spirit, and education. Please know that God loves us and wishes us health in all areas of our lives. When our bodies start to age, we need more education. Please consider how your life has been affected by organ donation. As Christians, we believe there is new life in death.
Shalom,
Shelley Kayne