Written by James L | National Transplant Week is an event that aims to raise awareness of the benefits of joining the Organ Donor Register. This year it began on July 8. In light of this event, here are five reasons why it’s more important than ever to sign up for your organs to be re-used after your death.
1. Save up to eight lives
There are currently six human organs which can be transplanted into another person. Heart transplants, lung transplants and kidney transplants are amongst the most common, whilst it’s also possible to donate your liver, pancreas and small bowel. That means by signing up to the Organ Donor Register, you can save or improve up to eight lives after your own death. You can also donate tissue from your skin, bones, eyes and cartilages. It’s hard to think of a more honourable parting gift to the world.
Recipients of donated organs are often able to lead full lives after a successful transplant. In many cases, they may have to kerb their physical activity – but it’s certainly possible to travel, see the world and enjoy life.
In fact, there are a number of specialist travel insurance companies that offer very reasonable rates to those who have undergone transplants.
2. Medical advances
Medical advances have allowed more and more successful transplant operations to take place and more lives to be saved. The likelihood of those signing up to the register actually having their organs donated is higher than in the past.
3. Ageing population
Unfortunately, there are still lots of individuals who die waiting for a suitable organ to be donated. The number of people in need of a transplant operation is expected to increase with the average age of the Western population in the coming years as well.
4. Kidney disease
A recent study published in ‘The Lancet’ has revealed that kidney disease is on the rise across the globe. It’s not just due to an ageing population either. The study suggested that four per cent of 20 to 39-year-olds now suffer from the disease dubbed the the ‘Silent Killer’. Many victims of this disease require a kidney transplant in order to survive.
5. You’ve got nothing to lose
There are plenty of untruths that do the rounds and put people off joining the Organ Donor Register. Some people are afraid that doctors won’t try as hard to save their lives or that they won’t be able to have an open casket at their funeral. Others believe that they are too old or unwell for anyone to want their organs. These are all myths.
The fact is that there remains a shortage of organs available for transplant. Because organs need to be removed shortly after an individual’s death to be suitable for a transplant, only those who die in hospital are eligible to donate. Nevertheless, signing up to the Organ Donor Register could be a life or death decision for someone else, no matter who you are.
You can now sign up to the register online.
About the author:
InsuranceWith specializes in helping people with existing medical conditions obtain affordable travel insurance. Many high street insurance firms will not cover people with medical conditions because of the perceived risk as opposed to the real risk. Through our services we help people get out and enjoy life.