Iowans are known nationally for their generous nature, and the state has one of the highest organ donor rates in the U.S. Sue Witte, LISW, Family Support Program Coordinator at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about becoming an organ donor:
How many people are on the waiting list to receive an organ donation?
Nationally, there are more than 106,000 people on the waiting list, and of those, 550 are Iowans.
Who is eligible to become a donor?
The best way to ensure becoming a donor after your death is to register at the Iowa Donor Registry, www.iowadonorregistry.org. Or say 'yes' when you're getting your driver's license, and of course, tell your family. Anyone who dies has a chance to be an organ or tissue donor. When someone dies their bodies are screened medically to make sure they don't pass any infections or diseases to a recipient.
Do donors need to be a certain age?
There's no age limit for donation. The very young and the very old can also make a difference through donation.
What can be donated at death?
One person has the opportunity to affect the lives of over 100 persons by donating. They can donate their:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Pancreas
- Bones
- Skin
- Eyes
What can be donated as a 'living' donor?
As a living donor, a person can donate:
All are incredible ways to help other people.
How are organs and tissue matched to transplant recipients?
Organs are matched by size, blood type, and tissue typing and of course by need.
Tissue is matched only by need. Patients don't reject tissue like they do organs, so there's no matching requirement beyond the need for a donated tissue of a certain type.
So someone donating in Iowa may actually match someone around the world?
Right—organs are allocated by need and may be sent anywhere in the nation where the sickest patient is that needs that organ. Skin grafts from over 34 Iowa donors were sent to Haiti evacuees who required skin grafts due to injuries or burns that they sustained in the earthquake. It is pretty remarkable that so many Iowans were able to help in that kind of way in Haiti.
How many people in Iowa have registered to be an organ donor?
There are over one million Iowans registered now and it really speaks of the generous nature of Iowans. We're a state of only three million and we're already at a million on our registry.
If someone wanted to learn more about becoming a donor, where should they start?
I recommend the Iowa Donor Network website www.iowadonornetwork.org or call Iowa Donor Network at 800-831-4131; or my office at 319-356-1741. |
