2. Introduction
Every time you renew your driver’s license or
just getting it for the first time, you are asked if
you like to be an organ donor or not. Sadly,
majority of people check “no”. Yet, someone
that checked “yes” saved my dad’s life. Today, I
will tell you myths vs. facts about organ
donation, statistics, how the transplant lists
works and my own personal experience.

3. • The most common myth is that if you’re registered as an organ donor, the doctors and
nurses won’t work hard to save you.
• The truth is, they don’t have access to that information until you are officially
deceased, plus it’s their job to save you.
• A second common myth is that your body won’t be presentable at your funeral if you
donate your organs.
• The truth is, during organ recovery, everything is removed by laparoscopic surgery,
which won’t change the appearance of the body.
• A third common myth is you can’t donate because you have an illness or participate in
self destructive behavior, such as drinking alcohol or smoking.
• The truth is, it’s the condition of organ that matters, meaning you may be an
alcoholic and your liver is shot, but you can still donate your lungs.
• A fourth common myth is your organs will be sold on the black market.
• The truth is, organs are under strict surveillance and are distributed to hospitals
locally, then state and then the country.
• Finally, some people believe a person can live on dialysis forever.
• The truth is no because after a while the body starts to deteriorate.

4. Statistics
• In 2009 only 38% of licensed drivers were registered organ donors.
• Each day 144 people are added to the transplant list, while 79 people receive an organ
and finally, 18 people die waiting.
• One deceased donor can save 8 people while improving the lives of 50 other people.
• In 2012, there was 8,143 deceased donors and 5,870 living donors.
• Compared to the growing number of people on the transplant list, it’s not a lot.

5. • Before anyone is placed on to the transplant list, they are questioned.
• Candidates are questioned about lifestyle, medical history and family medical history,
and insurance.
• Questions on lifestyle ask about family, occupation, education level, active, and if
they participate in self destructive or risky behavior.
• For example, My dad was even asked if he rides a motorcycle.
• Questions on medical history and family medical history are to make sure that they
don’t get a disease that will destroy the organ
• Questions on insurance is make sure the candidate can pay for the surgery and
medication.
• All together these questions are to make sure they are not wasting an organ.
• For example, is the candidate responsible enough to take their medication because
if they skip one dose, they can reject the organ.
• Once on the list, receiving an organ is based on three things.
• Is the organ a match?
• How long on the list?
• How many organs are available?

6. My Story: Suffering
My dad has a genetic disease called Alport
syndrome, which makes the capillaries in the
kidneys extremely thin and not properly filter. In
2009, he was put on the transplant list because his
kidneys started to fail, but he didn’t need to be put
on dialysis, yet. For 2 and a half years he suffered,
waiting. Yet, he wasn’t suffering alone. Every day I
watch him come home from work and sleep. He had
no appetite and ate very little causing him to wither
away. If it weren’t for my mom he probably
wouldn’t eat at all. When I questioned my dad he
explained he felt a type of physical weakness he
couldn’t describe. My mom and uncle offered to
donate, but my dad didn’t want to have a live donor
and risk others. It was difficult watching him suffer
because no one could do anything to help.

7. My Story: Waiting is Over
After waiting for so long, the call came in that my dad got a kidney from a
deceased donor. He only had 4-5% of kidney function left by the time he
got his new kidney. My dad described he felt reborn once he got his new
kidney. One moment he felt like he was dying and then the next he felt
like superman.

8. My Story: Thank You
My dad sent a letter through the
hospital to the donor’s family.
Everything was anonymous.
The thanks my family and I feel
has no words to describe.

9. Conclusion
Being registered as a donor doesn’t just mean you are willing to donate
your organs, but it also shows your support to the cause. So, next time
when renewing your license, check yes for organ donation. Donating an
organ isn’t just donating an organ, you are donating life.