FAQs about Organ Donations

By TinaMarie Cerreta


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

LIVING ORGAN DONATION (for both recipients and donors)

Kidney transplants offer a life-changing treatment for kidney failure, but common myths often cause unnecessary fear for both the recipient and the donor. Understanding the facts ensures that patients can confidently explore this option for a longer, healthier, and more active life. [1, 2, 3, 4]

1. Will doctors still work as hard to save my life if they know I'm a donor?

Yes, your medical team’s number one priority is to save your life, regardless of your donor status. Doctors, EMTs, and nurses are legally and ethically obligated to provide lifesaving care. The transplant team is completely separate from the medical team treating your illness or injury, and organ donation is only considered after every life-saving attempt has failed and death has been legally declared. [1, 2, 3]

2. Can I have an open casket funeral if I donate?

Yes, open-casket funerals are almost always possible. The recovery of organs and tissues is treated with the utmost care and respect. Surgical incisions are closed and covered, meaning there are no physical signs preventing an open casket. [1, 2]
3. Doesn't my religion prohibits organ donation? 
Not necessarily. The vast majority of major world religions—including Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and most Protestant faiths—view organ donation as an act of charity, compassion, and love. It is widely supported as a way to save and improve lives. [1, 2]
4. Don't rich or famous people get priority on the waiting list?
No, organs are allocated strictly based on medical necessity, blood type, tissue match, how sick the patient is, and time spent on the waiting list. Wealth, celebrity status, and income are never considered in the allocation process. [1, 2]
5. Does my family get charged for the donation process?
No, the donor's family is never charged for the costs associated with organ, eye, and tissue recovery. Those expenses are covered by the organ procurement organization (OPO) and the recipient's insurance. [1, 2]
6. You have to be closely related to the donor to get a transplant. [1, 2]
Truth: Thanks to modern medicine and pairing programs (like the National Kidney Registry), you do not need to be related. If a willing donor isn't a direct match, a system called "paired exchange" allows them to donate to a stranger in exchange for a kidney that does match you. [1, 2, 3]
7. If you have been on dialysis for a long time, it's too late to get a transplant. [1]
Truth: Dialysis is not a disqualifier. In fact, being on dialysis for a long period can actually earn you "waiting time credits" on the official waiting list managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. [1]
8. After a transplant, you will be permanently confined to bedrest and can't live a normal life. [1]
Truth: Quite the opposite. Transplant recipients typically resume highly active, normal lives. The new kidney immediately filters waste from the body, leading to a massive boost in energy compared to the exhaustion caused by kidney failure. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
9. Donating a kidney will shorten your lifespan. [1, 2]
Truth: Long-term studies spanning decades show that living kidney donors live just as long as—and often slightly longer than—the general population. This is because only exceptionally healthy people are approved to donate. [1, 2]
10. You can't live a healthy or active life with only one kidney. [1]
Truth: Your remaining kidney will naturally increase its workload to compensate for the one that was removed, doing the work of two kidneys without compromising your health. You can still play sports, exercise, and eat what you like once you've recovered. [1, 3, 4]
11. The surgery is extremely expensive and leaves the donor with heavy medical bills. [1, 2]
Truth: By law and standard transplant policy, the recipient's health insurance covers all medical costs associated with the donor's evaluation, surgery, and immediate post-operative care. [, 2]
12. You are too old to donate a kidney. [1, 2]
Truth: There is no hard upper age limit. Transplant teams evaluate donors based on their physiological health, not their age. Many people in their 60s and 70s successfully donate kidneys to loved ones or to strangers. [, 2, 3]
13. Once you volunteer to begin testing, you can't back out. [1]
Truth: You can change your mind at any single point in the process. The medical team considers the donor's mental and physical well-being a priority and will even provide a "graceful out" if the donor experiences cold feet but doesn't want to tell their recipient directly. [1, 2, 3, 5]
To learn more or explore the living donation process, visit the National Kidney Foundation for detailed resources and support groups. [1, 2, 3]

Take Action
If you are considering becoming an organ donor, you can find more information and sign up to be a donor through official resources. [1, 2, 3, 4]
**Any questions I did not answer please email me and if I can't answer them I will direct you to an organization or website that can.

Here are some quotes for you today:
DONOR: "The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit." — Nelson Henderson
RECIPIENT: "Healing is not linear and at times can be a long process. Be kind to yourself through it all." — Valen Keefer, Double Transplant Recipient
My personal links:
National Kidney Registry (main)
My Microsite 
My Blog (site)
(Please, please, please share these everywhere!)
Thank you for reading my posts. 

Comments

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