Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked what you saw? You’ve wanted to be thinner, curvier, tanner or even switch bodies with a supermodel like Candice Swanepoel or Gigi Hadid. The next time you find yourself taking your body for granted, you may want to think about those dreaming of a fully functioning body. According to Donate Life, 121,000 men, women and children in the U.S. are currently waiting for a lifesaving organ donation. However flawed you might perceive your body, it could be the key to saving dozens of lives.
Not totally convinced that you should register as an organ donor? Here are seven reasons why everyone should!
Imagine the largest football stadium in America overflowing with men and women. Now you have some idea of how many people need organ transplants to survive. As Every Organ Donor explains, since 1989, the number of needed organ donations has grown from 17,917 to over 100,000. Unfortunately, the number of organ donors hasn’t grown with it; in 2009, only 14,630 are listed. Eighteen people die every day waiting for a life-saving organ – and you could help save them.
If you’re one of the #Womenthatdo, you’ve probably dreamed of ways to change the world. Registering as an organ donor could be one of them. According to Every Organ Donor, donating your organs can save up to eight lives and further enhance the lives of 50 more people. These aren’t just numbers that you’re helping. They’re neighbors, teachers, parents, sons, daughters, aunts, children – they’re people who probably have dreams of inspiring change in the world just like you.
Now, you might say, “Well, I would but my religion doesn’t allow it … I’m too young … my organs aren’t that healthy anyway.” As the Mayo Clinic explains, though, those excuses are just myths and misinformation.
In fact, organ donation doesn’t transgress the beliefs of any major religions, including Roman Catholicism, Islam, most branches of Judaism and most types of Protestantism. If you want to donate but still aren’t sure, try talking with your religious counselor. As for age, while those under 18 would need the legal permission of their parents, anyone can donate. In fact, children often need organ donations as well and require smaller organs than typically found in adults.
Now, what if your body really isn’t fully functioning and you have certain medical conditions or diseases? You can still be a superhero and save lives. Very few medical conditions disqualify people from donating organs and, if some organs are too unhealthy to be transplanted, other organs and tissues may still be viable.
You’ve probably seen the horror movies, read the Steven King novels and woken up from plenty of nightmares about organs being donated before you’re actually dead. As Mayo Clinic explains, though, this is a frightening – but false – myth. In fact, people who are organ donors undergo more tests to confirm their death than non-organ donors. Your level of medical care will also be unaffected by your organ donor status. If you go to the hospital, doctors will do everything they can to save your life. Only after these efforts have failed will your body be considered for organ donation.
Besides the emotional value of saving someone’s life, registering (and undergoing the process) to donate organs is completely free. As Every Organ Donor, explains you and your family will not be responsible for any costs related to the donation. Not to mention, registering is super easy! If you didn’t check the box on the paperwork for your driver’s license originally, you can do so when renewing your license. You can also fill out a form at organdonor.gov.
If you’ve watched any crime or medical shows, then you’ve probably witnessed scenes in which donors’ families meet the recipients after surgery and feel a “connection.” Now, most of this is probably Hollywood magic – but your family could still be comforted by your status as an organ donor. As Live on NY explains, donating your organs can at least give your death the positive of improving others’ lives.
Unless you’re a star in the entertaining zombie show “Walking Dead,” after you pass away, you’re not going to be walking around or using your body. Why not, then, utilize your body and give it to someone who needs it? In this way, you – and the love, sacrifice, empathy and hope that probably spurred your decision to be an organ donor – can live on even when you don’t.
