How to Become an Organ Donor — Continued

When three Stanford social psychologists set out to understand the issue, they concluded it was just another case of our society’s tendency to stick to whatever is normal — the “status-quo.”

In an opt-out country, the status quo is to donate organs upon death. In Austria, an opt-out country, people don’t see organ donation as a big deal — just normal. But in Germany, where you have to opt in, donation is considered a costly and highly moral act.

The researchers concluded that, if the United States switched became an opt-out country, Americans would soon look at organ donation as Austrians do — as a minor matter — and more organs would be available.

What organs can you donate?

You can donate a heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and small intestines and save eight lives. Your cornea, skin, veins, heart valves, tendons, and ligaments can also be transplanted.

If you’re healthy, you can become a “living donor,” giving a kidney, or a part of your liver, lung, intestine, blood, or bone marrow. One in four donors is not biologically related to the recipient.

How to become an organ donor

You can easily become an organ donor here. Most states include a question about organ donation when you get a driver’s license.

Don’t worry about your age or medical history for a donation upon your death; many health conditions won’t rule out your organs.

Why you should be an organ donor

One deceased donor can save or improve up to 50 lives.

Addressing the most common reasons people hesitate, Klassen notes:

• Being a registered donor has absolutely no impact on how hard doctors will work to save your life.
• You can have an open-casket funeral — the body is treated with “dignity” and “care.”
• There is no cost to the family.
• Some people think that celebrities and wealthy folks are favored for organs — but that’s not the case. Doctors weigh each case by the chance of success and likelihood of the recipient dying without a transplant.
• All the major organized religions in the United States are in favor of organ and tissue donation.

It’s one choice that could turn your death into hope and survival for up to 50 other people. It could be the most charitable act of your life.

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