Scientific, surgical and medical advancements have made it possible since the 1960s to transplant many human organs and tissues with great success.
Transplantation of vital human organs, one of the most complex medical endeavors, is no longer considered an experimental procedure, but a common life-saving therapy. Transplant is the only medical option for thousands of men, women and children suffering from organ failure. Without receiving a transplant to replace their fail organ, many die.
Transplantation, however, can only occur if donated organs and tissues are available. The need for organs and tissues for transplant continues to exceed donations in all areas of the country. Although most people support organ and tissue donation, many have not signed a donor card or talked about their wishes with their family. Despite the well-publicized advances in transplant surgery, there is still a critical shortage of donated organs and tissues.
Taking appropriate steps to be a donor upon death is very simple. On the back of your driver’s license is space to indicate intent to be an organ and tissue donor. A uniform donor card serves the same purpose. On both documents are options for you to indicate your wishes to donate any usable organs and tissues, or only designated organs and tissues. The first step is to select the appropriate box and sign your card. As important as signing the form though, is talking with your family about your decision. Let them know your wishes. At the time of death, the organ procurement organization (OPO) will want to ensure that the family supports the donation. Being aware of your wishes ahead of time makes the situation easier on your family when they know they are reaffirming what you wanted.
Statistics Although there have been advances in medical technology and donation, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors. For more information, read the summary below or create a detailed data report on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) website.
More than 112,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.
Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.
An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.
In 2009, there were 8,021 deceased organ donors and 6,610 living organ donors resulting in 28,465 organ transplants.
Last year, more than 42,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.
According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.
90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.
100 million Americans — roughly 42% of the adult population –are registered as organ, eye and tissue donors in state donor registries
112,742 Patients Waiting as of January 24, 2012
62,648 Multicultural Patients as of January 24, 2012
1,800 Pediatric Patients as of January 24, 2012
23,749 Organ Transplants Performed through September 2011