Organ Donation: 23 frequently asked questions answered

What is organ donation? Who can donate the organs? All your questions on organ donation answered.

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Updated: August 13, 2015 9:39 am

A 3-year-old kid saved a 5-year-old. Also Read - Researchers take a huge stride in growing made-to-order human kidneys

Also Read - Hiranandani Hospital encourages Ganapati devotees to gift a life through organ donation

5 brain-dead patients saving lives of 23 people. Also Read - 23-year-old gets a new lease of life due to heart and lung transplant

The common thing in both these headlines is the fact that organ donation saved their lives. But like most people, if you have questions regarding organ donation like — what is it? Who can donate their organs? Can a 90-year-old also donate organs? How to go about it? Continue reading this!

1. What is organ donation?

It is the process through which organs from a live (in rare cases) or a deceased person are retrieved through the process of harvesting. The retrieved organs are then transplanted to the person in need.

2. How can you donate your organs?

You need to register online or through hospitals or NGOs for organ donation. You can even click on this link to get register for organ donation.

3. One can donate their organs only after their death. Is this true?

To donate organs after death, you get registered first for the same. So that after a person dies, their family or a relative can inform the concerned officials about organ donation.

4. Is it ok if I don t inform my family about organ donation?

You have to inform your family or relatives about the same because your family has to give the consent for organ donation and only after their approval the process can be carried out.

5. Can a kid donate organs?

Anyone from an infant to a 100-year-old can donate organs and tissues. However, your clinical history plays a key role in deciding whether you qualify for organ donation or not.

6. I drink alcohol every day, am I suitable for organ donation?

You might not be fit for donating one organ but can donate other organs like eyes and skin. And this can be only determined by conducting various tests.

7. Can people suffering from severe diseases like AIDS or STDs donate organs?

In such cases, doctors will collect a blood sample of the deceased person and analyse it for various diseases before ruling out the organ or deciding that it is fit for donation.

8. Do I need my family consent for donating organs?

Not really. But in some cases, like if a person has met with an accident and is brain-dead, your family can decide whether or not to donate the organs.

9. Is it possible to decide after the person’s death to donate organs or not?

Yes, it is possible but you need to be very quick as the organs function only because of they are on ventilators. But that too is for a limited time after the person dies.

10. It is said that a brain-dead person can donate organs. But what if he/she gets back to normal?

It is impossible for a person to recover from brain death, in which there is no activity in the brain and the person is almost dead. It is not the same as a coma. Here is detailed information on what is brain death?

11. Do I need to spend money to donate an organ?

You just need to call or register with an organ donation firm. And yes, it is free of cost.

12. Which organ can be donated?

One can donate their heart, liver, kidney, skin, eyes, lung and tissues. In some cases, an intestine donation is also carried out but it is very rare.

13. For how long can the organs be kept alive after the person dies?

It depends on the organs and the time for which they have been removed from the deceased person. However, a heart and a lung can stay alive for around 4 6 hours, liver for 12- 24 hours and kidney for 48 72 hours.

14. Can a living person donate organs?

Although very rare, a person whose organs match the one required by the recipient can donate organs. This is quite common between the members of the same family.

15. How do I know that my registration was successful?

Once you get yourself registered, you will get a donor card in a week or two (depending upon the organisation).

16. If I register before for organ donation but later change my mind, is it possible to step back, or do I have to donate my organs, even then?

The most important fact about organ donation is that it cannot be carried out unless your next of kin gives a nodt. So if you decide later in life not to donate organs, you can inform your family.

17. If I want to donate but my family doesn t, can I still donate my organs?

Most probably not because at the time of death your family has to give consent for organ donation. If they don t agree, then it won t be carried out.

18. If I register myself in Mumbai but die in another state, can I still donate my organs?

Yes, you can, as the body will ultimately be given to your family. And organ donation might occur in the state you are dead and not the one in which you registered yourself.

19. Does the family have to pay money for organ donation, after the person (who registered for organ donation) dies?

No, the family of the deceased organ donor doesn t need to spend anything on organ donation. Everything will be carried out for free.

20. Can we donate skin as well?

Yes, even skin can be donated. People suffering from major skin injuries and burns are the ones who benefit from it. To know more about skin donation, click here.

21. What does my religion say about organ donation?

Almost all religious groups and religions approve organ donation and encourage more people to get registered for the same.

22. If the skin of the deceased is removed, won t it lead to disfigurement of the body?

In case of skin harvesting, only the upper layer of the skin is removed. There is no bleeding from the site and no disfigurement. And in fact, bandages will be applied on the parts of the body from where the skin is removed. It won t be visible to the people who pay their homage.

23. Won t the organs be sold after organ donation?

Your organs won t be sold but given to the needy. There have been cases of an organ transporting to a distant city or state for transplantation.

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Published : August 13, 2015 9:34 am | Updated:August 13, 2015 9:39 am

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