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  • v.128(4); Jul-Aug 2013

The Power of Organ Donation to Save Lives Through Transplantation

Organ and tissue donation is more important than many of us realize—for society and for the individuals it directly affects. Today, there are nearly 118,000 individuals waiting for an organ transplant to live healthier, more productive lives (Unpublished data, Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network [OPTN], April 2013). For some people with end-stage organ failure, it is truly a matter of life and death. Add to these the thousands more whose lives will be improved through tissue and cornea donation and transplants that can help them move better, see better, and live better.

Donation affects more than the donors and recipients. It also affects the families, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who love and support those in need of transplantation, and who benefit from their renewed life and improved health after transplant. For my part, I have experienced not once, but twice how donation and transplantation affects individuals.

Twenty years ago, my wife, Donna Lee Jones, died in a severe automobile accident. Her death was a shock, and my family did not know what to make of our tragedy. Then we were offered the opportunity to donate her organs and tissues for transplantation. While it did not lessen the pain of her loss, it brought comfort to us knowing that out of our tragedy, some good would come, and others could receive the gift of life. Because of her donation, several people received a new lease on life: a man in Tampa, Florida, received her heart; a teenage boy in Washington, D.C., received a kidney and pancreas; a hospital custodian received her other kidney; a woman in Pennsylvania received her liver; and her corneas went to a young woman in Baltimore, Maryland, and a government worker.

Four years later, my 20-year-old daughter, Vikki Lianne, was struck by a car and died. Losing a spouse was tragic enough, but the pain of losing a child cannot be expressed. Falling back on our previous experience, we decided to donate Vikki's organs and tissues for transplantation. Again, several individuals benefited from her gift: a mother of five children from Upstate New York received her heart; a widow with four children received her lung; a 59-year-old man from Washington, D.C., who was active with a local charity, received her liver; a widower with one daughter received her kidney; a working father received the other kidney; and her corneas went to a 26-year-old man in Florida and a 60-year-old woman in Pennsylvania. And we, her family, took comfort in the idea that Vikki's legacy was one of life and giving.

Organ donation provides a life-giving, life-enhancing opportunity to those who are at the end of the line for hope. And the need for organ donors is growing. When Donna Lee died in 1992, there were 27,000 people on the transplant wait list. When Vikki died just four years later, that number had grown to 47,000 (Unpublished data, OPTN, January 2010). As of April 5, 2013, there were 117,812 people waiting, with hope, for an organ to become available (Unpublished data, OPTN, April 2013).

One way to expand the number of organs available for transplantation is to expand the number of donors, through carefully and safely considering individuals who in the past were not included. The guideline in this special issue of Public Health Reports provides a scientific, evidence-based process to assure a balance between organ safety and availability for each individual on the transplant wait list. As our knowledge and scientific capabilities regarding safety and availability grow and evolve, donors who in the past would not have been considered as donors are now able to provide the gift of life to others.

This guideline will help improve organ transplant outcomes, leading to more individuals being able to live healthier and longer lives. The science and evidence are clear and will improve the safety of organs, balanced with a clear and conscious regard for donors and recipients. It is the human aspect of donation and transplantation—helping people. It is the right thing to do.

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Kenneth Moritsugu is a former Acting Surgeon General of the United States.

This article was supported in part by Health Resources and Services Administration contract #234-2005-370011C. The content of this article is the responsibility of the author alone and does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Essay on Organ Donation for Students and Children

500+ words essay on organ donation.

Essay on Organ Donation – Organ donation is a process in which a person willingly donates an organ of his body to another person. Furthermore, it is the process of allowing the removal of one’s organ for its transplanting in another person. Moreover, organ donation can legally take place by the consent of the donor when he is alive. Also, organ donation can also take place by the assent of the next of kin of a dead person. There has been a significant increase in organ donations due to the advancement of medical science.

Essay on Organ Donation

Organ Donation in Different Countries

First of all, India follows the opt-in system regarding organ donation. Furthermore, any person wishing to donate an organ must fill a compulsory form. Most noteworthy, this form is available on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India. Also, The Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994, controls organ donation in India.

The need for organ donation in the United States is growing at a considerable rate. Furthermore, there has also been a significant rise in the number of organ donors in the United States. Most noteworthy, organ donation in the United States takes place only by the consent of the donor or their family. Nevertheless, plenty of organizations are pushing for opt-out organ donation

Within the European Union, the regulation of organ donation takes place by the member states. Furthermore, many European countries have some form of an opt-out system. Moreover, the most prominent opt-out systems are in Austria, Spain, and Belgium. In England, no consent is presumed and organ donation is a voluntary process.

Argentina is a country that has plenty of awareness regarding organ donation. Most noteworthy, the congress of Argentina introduced an opt-out organ donation policy. Moreover, this means that every person over 18 years of age will be a donor unless they or their family state their negative. However, in 2018, another law was passed by congress. Under the new law, the family requirement was removed. Consequently, this means that the organ donor is the only person who can state their negative.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Benefits of Organ Donation

First of all, organ donation is very helpful for the grieving process. Furthermore, many donor families take relief and consolation due to organ donation. This is because they understand that their loved one has helped save the life of other people. Most noteworthy, a single donor can save up to eight lives.

Organ donation can also improve the quality of life of many people. An eye transplant could mean the ability to see again for a blind person. Similarly, donating organs could mean removing the depression and pain of others. Most noteworthy, organ donation could also remove the dependency on costly routine treatments.

Organ donation is significantly beneficial for medical science research. Donated organs offer an excellent tool for conducting scientific researches and experiments. Furthermore, many medical students can greatly benefit from these organs. Most noteworthy, beneficial medical discoveries could result due to organ donation. Organ donation would also contribute to the field of Biotechnology.

To sum it up, organ donation is a noble deed. Furthermore, it shows the contribution of an individual even after death. Most noteworthy, organ donation can save plenty of lives. Extensive awareness regarding organ donation must certainly be spread among the people.

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Essay on Organ Donation

Students are often asked to write an essay on Organ Donation in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Organ Donation

What is organ donation.

Organ donation is when a person allows their organs to be given to someone who needs them after they die. The organs can be the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, or intestines. Giving an organ can save the life of someone with a sick organ that doesn’t work well.

Who Can Donate?

Almost anyone can be an organ donor. Adults and, with parent’s permission, children can choose to donate. Doctors check if the donor’s organs are healthy enough to be given to another person.

The Process of Donating

When a person dies, doctors see if they can donate. If yes, the organs are taken out carefully and quickly given to patients who need them. The donor’s family does not have to pay for this.

The Need for Donors

Many people are waiting for an organ, but there aren’t enough donors. More donors mean more people can get the help they need. It’s important to talk with your family about your choice to donate.

Organ donation is a kind act that can save lives. If you decide to be a donor, you could help someone else live a longer, healthier life after you’re gone.

Also check:

  • Speech on Organ Donation

250 Words Essay on Organ Donation

Organ donation is when a person allows their organs to be given to someone else who needs them after they die. Sometimes, living people can also give one of their kidneys or a part of their liver to help another person.

Why is Organ Donation Important?

Organ donation is very important because it can save lives. Many people are sick with organs that do not work well, and they need new ones to become healthy again. Without new organs, these people might not live for very long.

Almost anyone can be an organ donor. It does not matter how old you are or what your background is. The most important thing is that the organs are healthy. Doctors check this very carefully before they put the organs into another person’s body.

How to Become a Donor

To become an organ donor, you can sign up on a special list or tell your family about your wish to donate. This way, if something happens to you, the doctors will know that you want to give your organs to help others.

Respect and Care

When organs are taken from a donor, doctors treat the donor with a lot of respect and care. The donor’s family is also given support during this tough time.

In summary, organ donation is a generous act that can give someone a second chance at life. It is a simple process to sign up, and it shows a big heart to help others in need.

500 Words Essay on Organ Donation

Organ donation is a kind act where a person allows their organs to be moved into another person’s body. When someone’s organ, like their heart or kidney, stops working well, they might need a new one. Organ donation is a way to give them a healthy organ. This can save their lives or help them feel better.

Almost anyone can choose to donate their organs. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your background is. When a person decides to donate their organs, doctors will check to make sure the organs are healthy and can help someone else. There are two times when a person can donate: when they are still alive or after they pass away. Living people can donate parts of their liver, one kidney, or a piece of their lung. After a person dies, they can donate many organs if they said yes to donation before.

Organ donation is very important because it can save lives. Many people are waiting for an organ, and sometimes they have to wait a long time. Without a new organ, these people might not survive. By donating organs, you can help them live longer and enjoy life with their families and friends.

How Do You Become a Donor?

To become an organ donor, you need to tell others that you want to donate. You can do this by signing up on a special list or telling your family about your choice. It’s also a good idea to carry a card in your wallet that says you are a donor. This way, if something happens to you, doctors will know that you want to give your organs to help others.

The Process of Donation

If a person who wants to donate their organs passes away, doctors will check if their organs are still healthy. If they are, the organs are carefully taken out and kept in a special way so they stay healthy. Then, the organs are quickly taken to the person who needs them. Doctors will do an operation to put the new organ in the person’s body.

Concerns and Myths

Some people are worried about donating their organs. They might think that doctors won’t try to save their lives if they are donors, but this isn’t true. Doctors always work hard to save every person’s life. Another worry is about how the body will look after donation. The truth is, doctors are very careful, and the body will look the same as before.

Organ donation is a very special choice that can make a big difference in someone’s life. It’s a way to show kindness and help others even after you’re gone. By learning about organ donation and talking to your family, you can decide if it’s right for you. Remember, your choice to donate your organs could be the reason someone else gets to live a longer and happier life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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The Medical Minute: Six organ donation facts knock down six myths

Dr. Johnny Hong, wearing surgical scrubs, works with a piece of equipment in the foreground of an operating room. Other staff members are working in the background.

Right now, more than 103,000 people in the U.S. ― nearly two times the population of Harrisburg ― are waiting for organ transplants.

Doctors helped more than 46,000 of them last year. Donated kidneys, hearts and livers helped them survive what was once incurable ― old death sentences like heart failure, lung cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.

Seventeen of the people waiting for their chance will die today. Their names will be removed from a list, and 103,000 others will go on hoping and praying.

“We have an organ shortage crisis,” said Dr. Johnny C. Hong , vice president of Solid Organ Transplantation at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center .

The reasons for the shortfall in organs available for transplants are many, but among them is misinformation. Many potential donors are failing to check the organ donation box on driver’s license applications or choosing not to register. And some are doing it for the wrong reasons.

The consequences of each lost opportunity can be far-reaching. A single deceased organ donor can save as many as eight lives, Hong says.

Below, Hong debunks six myths about organ donation. He discusses why the benefits are enormous and why giving is getting easier.

Myth 1: Doctors won’t revive you if you’re near death if you have signed up to be an organ donor because they want to harvest your organs.

“There is absolutely no truth to that,” Hong said.

If someone arrives at any hospital emergency department in the U.S. and is unresponsive, the words “organ donation” aren’t even mentioned until the patient meets very specific legal criteria for being past the point of no return. The heart has stopped or the brain is dead.

The patient in question, of course, could decide much earlier that after death they want to donate their organs and determine certain courses of action they want medical staff to perform with their remains when they die. But health care workers are entirely concerned with saving the person’s life.

“Organ donation and transplantation in the U.S. is highly regulated,” Hong said. “There are multiple layers of regulatory requirement.” Visit the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network website for details.

Doctors have time to get it right, because current medical technology allows for organs to be preserved and viable after someone dies. The heart can still be transplanted four hours after death, according to donatelife.org. A liver can last 24 hours. Corneas can still be donated 14 days after someone dies. Bones and skin are still viable for five years and heart valves can still be used 10 years after they’ve been removed from living tissue.

“A huge focus in our medical research today is geared toward developing new therapies to allow donated organs to remain viable for an extended period,” Hong added.

Myth 2: There’s a fee for donating organs.

Like the regulations and laws governing when organs may be harvested from a deceased donor, the law also covers what hospitals and doctors can charge people making the donation.

In the U.S., “it is against the law to be paid for donating your organs,” Hong said. That goes for both living donors and the families of deceased donors.

Myth 3: There are already enough organ donors out there – my registering as a donor won’t make a difference.

“That is a myth, because we don’t have enough,” Hong said.

In the U.S., approximately 103,000 patients are on the waiting list for lifesaving transplants yearly; however, there are only about 22,000 organ donors annually.

“The demand definitely outpaces the supply of organs,” Hong said.

And that’s all types of organs – heart, lungs, livers, kidneys, pancreas, intestines and others. Some patients are lucky enough that medical science has developed methods to buy them more time. Dialysis treatment can help replace some functions of the failed kidneys while patients wait for their transplants, for example. If you’re waiting for a liver transplant, there isn’t much you can do but wait and hope an organ becomes available before you become too sick and die.

Using the national lists, transplantation experts search for matches in blood type and immunology. They also need to match the correct size of organ – for example, you cannot use a massive liver to replace a small one or vice versa.

Myth 4: If I donate an organ my life span will be radically shortened.

No. A living donor can donate one of two kidneys and part of a liver. Doctors are experimenting with using a portion of a living donor’s intestines.

If you have two healthy kidneys, one kidney will take up the job of its missing counterpart with no ill effects. Likewise, you’d only donate a portion of your liver, and you’d still have a perfectly viable liver. The remaining portion of the liver grows and takes over the entire function.

Living donors have to be validated before giving, and doctors put them through a vigorous battery of testing. During the procedure, the medical team is worried about protecting two lives ― the living donor and the transplant recipient ― not just one.

That said, it’s surgery, and donors will have to recover from the procedure. But even that is becoming easier as medical science progresses, Hong said. In the past, donating a kidney meant a five- to seven-day hospital stay. Now, physicians can use laparoscopic procedures to remove the organ, and donors usually go home within three days.

Acquiring a portion of someone’s liver is a more invasive procedure, Hong said. The remaining portion of the liver must be nurtured to regenerate what was lost. Hospital stays can last a week or more and home recovery can take two to three months. Doctors are beginning to move toward more minimally invasive methods for liver donation.

Myth 5: I can’t donate if I had an illness.

In general, there’s some truth that an illness can preclude your ability to donate, but “we need to look at what the illness is,” Hong said.

“The number one priority for a living donor program is the safety and well-being of the living donor,” he said. “So, if there’s anything that would subject the donor to an additional risk, like a chronic illness, then most likely the person will not be able to donate. But again, we have to define that illness clearly.”

Even if you have an illness, register to donate. Let the medical experts make the call.

Myth 6: I’m too old to be a donor.

“ The criteria we use is the physiological age rather than the chronological age,” Hong said. “We don’t have an absolute cut off to be a donor.

Deceased donors are sometimes 70 to 80 years old. What matters is the donor’s overall health at the time of death and the organ function. Living donors must be healthy enough to undergo the operation safely and be well after donation, and the organ being donated must be able to do its job in its new host.

Register to become an organ donor here . When you do, your information will be provided securely to Donate Life America, a non-profit organization committed to increasing the number of lives saved and healed through organ, eye and tissue donation.

Related content:

  • The Medical Minute: Living donors may benefit transplant patients
  • The Medical Minute: Become an organ donor, save a life

The Medical Minute is a weekly health news feature produced by Penn State Health. Articles feature the expertise of faculty, physicians and staff, and are designed to offer timely, relevant health information of interest to a broad audience.

If you're having trouble accessing this content, or would like it in another format, please email Penn State Health Marketing & Communications .

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Organ donation: Don’t let these myths confuse you

Mayo Clinic Staff

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Over 100,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for an organ transplant . Unfortunately, many may never get the call saying that a suitable donor organ — and a second chance at life — has been found. It's estimated that more than 15 people die every day in the U.S. because of the lack of donor organs.

It can be hard to think about what's going to happen to your body after you die, let alone donating your organs and tissue. But being an organ donor is a generous, worthwhile decision that can be lifesaving.

If you've never considered organ donation or delayed becoming a donor because of something you've heard, here are answers to some common organ donation myths and concerns.

Myth: If I agree to donate my organs, the hospital staff won't work as hard to save my life.

Fact: When you go to the hospital for treatment, healthcare professionals focus on saving your life — not somebody else's. You'll receive care from healthcare professionals whose expertise most closely matches your condition and who can give you the best care possible.

Myth: Maybe I won't really be dead when they sign my death certificate.

Fact: Although it's a popular topic in the tabloids, in reality, people don't start to wiggle their toes after they're declared dead. People who have agreed to organ donation are given more tests to determine that they're truly dead than those who haven't agreed to organ donation. These extra tests are done at no charge to their families.

Myth: Organ donation is against my religion.

Fact: Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most major religions. These religions include Roman Catholicism, Islam, most branches of Judaism and most Protestant faiths. If you're unsure of or uncomfortable with your faiths position on organ donation, ask your clergy member.

Myth: I'm under 18. I'm too young to make this decision.

Fact: Many states allow people younger than 18 to register as organ donors, but the final decision will remain the responsibility of your parents or legal guardian. Discuss your wish to become an organ donor with your family, and ask for their consent. Keep in mind that children need organ transplants, and they usually need organs smaller than those an adult can provide.

Myth: An open-casket funeral isn't an option for people who have donated organs or tissues.

Fact: Organ and tissue donation doesn't interfere with having an open-casket funeral. The donor's body is clothed for burial and treated with care and respect, and there are no visible signs of organ or tissue donation.

Myth: I'm too old to donate. Nobody would want my organs.

Fact: There's no defined cutoff age for donating organs. The decision to use your organs is based on strict medical criteria, not age. Don't prematurely disqualify yourself. Let the doctors decide at the time of your death whether your organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation.

Myth: I'm not in the best of health. Nobody would want my organs or tissues.

Fact: Few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from donating organs. Again, the decision to use an organ is based on strict medical criteria. It may turn out that certain organs aren't able to be transplanted, but other organs and tissues may be fine. Don't prematurely disqualify yourself. Only medical professionals at the time of your death can determine whether your organs can be transplanted.

Myth: I'd like to donate one of my kidneys now, but I wouldn't be allowed to do that unless one of my family members is in need.

Fact: While that used to be the case, it isn't any longer. Whether it's a distant family member, friend or stranger you want to help, you can donate a kidney through certain transplant centers as what is known as a living donor.

If you decide to become a living donor, you will undergo extensive questioning to ensure that you know the risks and that your decision to donate isn't based on financial gain. You also will undergo testing to determine if your kidneys are in good shape and whether you can live a healthy life with just one kidney.

Myth: Rich and famous people go to the top of the list when they need a donor organ.

Fact: The rich and famous aren't given priority when it comes to allocating organs. It may seem that way because of the amount of publicity generated when a celebrity receives a transplant, but they are treated no differently than anyone else. In reality, celebrity and financial status are not considered in organ allocation.

Myth: My family will be charged if I donate my organs.

Fact: The organ donor's family is never charged for donation. The family is charged for the costs of all final efforts to save your life, and those are sometimes misinterpreted as costs related to organ donation. Costs for organ recovery go to the transplant recipient.

Becoming an organ donor is easy. You can indicate that you want to be a donor in these ways:

  • Register with your state's donor registry. Most states have registries. Check the list at  organdonor.gov .
  • Designate your choice on your driver's license. Do this when you obtain or renew your license.
  • Tell your family. Make sure your family knows your wishes regarding donation.

The best way to ensure that your wishes are carried out is to register with your state's organ donation registry and include donor designation on your driver's license or state ID. Taking these steps legally authorizes your organ donation upon death.

If you have designated someone to make healthcare decisions for you if you become unable to do so, make sure that person knows that you want to be an organ donor. You also may include your wishes in your living will if you have one, but that paperwork might not be immediately available at the time of your death.

It's also important to tell your family you want to be a donor. Hospitals seek consent from the next of kin before removing organs, although this isn't required if you're registered with your state's donor registry or have donor designation on your driver's license or state ID card.

Jason Beckermann, M.D. , is a  surgeon  in  Eau Claire , Wisconsin. Anja Grogseth is the donor liaison in  Red Wing , Minnesota, and Angi Grimm is the donor liaison in  La Crosse , Wisconsin.

This article first published on the Mayo Clinic Health System blog .

Related Resources:

  • Mayo Clinic Minute: What is a living donor chain?
  • Type 2 diabetes no longer a barrier to becoming a living kidney donor
  • Could CAR-T cell therapy improve kidney transplants?
  • In case you missed it: This week’s Top 5 stories on social media Mayo Clinic virologist offers perspective on avian influenza, bird flu, outbreak

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what is organ donation essay

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Organ Donation Essay

what is organ donation essay

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Organ donation has proved to be a miracle for the society. Organs such as kidneys, heart, eyes, liver, small intestine, bone tissues, skin tissues and veins are donated for the purpose of transplantation. The donor gives a new life to the recipient by the way of this noble act. Organ donation is encouraged worldwide. The government of different countries have put up different systems in place to encourage organ donation. However, the demand for organs is still quite high as compared to their supply. Effective steps must be taken to meet this ever-increasing demand.

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Long and Short Essay on Organ Donation in English

We have provided below short and long essay on organ donation in simple English for your information and knowledge.

After going through the essays you will know the significance of organ donation for someone in need, the procedure involved, under what circumstances is it illegal to donate an organ and what are safe physical criterion for organ donation.

You can use these organ donation essay in your school college events wherein you need to give a speech, write an essay or take part in debate.

Essay on Organ Donation in 200 words

Organ donation is done by both living and deceased donors. The living donors can donate one of the two kidneys, a lung or a part of a lung, one of the two lobes of their liver, a part of the intestines or a part of the pancreas. While a deceased donor can donate liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, pancreas, cornea tissue, skin tissue, tendons and heart valves.

The organ donation process varies from country to country. The process has broadly been classified into two categories – Opt in and Opt out. Under the opt-in system, one is proactively required to register for donation of his/ her organs while in the opt-out system, every individual becomes a donor post death unless he/she opts-out of it.

There is a huge demand for organs. It is sad how several people in different parts of the world die each year waiting for organ transplant. The governments of different countries are taking steps to raise the supply of organs and in certain parts the number of donors has increased. However, the requirement of organs has simultaneously increased at a much rapid speed.

Each one of us should come forward and register to donate organs after death. “Be an organ donor, all it costs is a little love”.

Also Check: Essay on Organ Trafficking

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Essay on Organ Donation in 300 words

Organ donation takes place when an organ of a person’s body is removed with his consent while he is alive or with the consent of his family member after his death for the purpose of research or transplant. Kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, bones, bone marrow, corneas, intestines and skin are transplanted to give new life to the receiver.

Organ Donation Process

  • Living Donors

Living donors require undergoing thorough medical tests before organ donation. This also includes psychological evaluation of the donor to ensure whether he understands the consequences of donation and truly consents for it.

  • Deceased Donors

In case of the deceased donors, it is first verified that the donor is dead. The verification of death is usually done multiple times by a neurologist. It is then determined if any of his/ her organs can be donated.

After death, the body is kept on a mechanical ventilator to ensure the organs remain in good condition. Most organs work outside the body only for a couple of hours and thus it is ensured that they reach the recipient immediately after removal.

Gap between Demand and Supply

The demand for organs is considerably higher than the number of donors around the world. Each year several patients die waiting for donors. Statistics reveal that in India against an average annual demand for 200,000 kidneys, only 6,000 are received. Similarly, the average annual demand for hearts is 50,000 while as low as 15 of them are available.

The need for organ donation needs to be sensitized among the public to increase the number of donors. The government has taken certain steps such as spreading awareness about the same by way of TV and internet. However, we still have a long way to go.

Organ donation can save a person’s life. Its importance must not be overlooked. A proper system should be put in place for organ donation to encourage the same.

Essay on Organ Donation in 400 words

Organ donation is the process of allowing organ or tissue to be removed surgically from one person to place it in another person or to use it for research purpose. It is done by the consent of donor in case he is alive or by the consent of next of kin after death. Organ donation is encouraged worldwide.

Kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, bones, bone marrow, skin, pancreas, corneas, intestines and skin are commonly used for transplantation to render new life to the recipient. Organ donation is mostly done after the donor’s death. However, certain organs and tissues such as a kidney, lobe of a lung, portion of the liver, intestine or pancreas can be donated by living donors as well.

Organ Donation Consent Process

There are two types of consents when it comes to organ donation. These are the explicit consent and the presumed consent.

  • Explicit Consent: Under this the donor provides a direct consent through registration and carrying out other required formalities based on the country.
  • Presumed Consent: This does not include a direct consent from the donor or the next of kin. As the name suggests, it is assumed that the donation would have been allowed by the potential donor in case consent was pursued.

Among the possible donors approximately twenty five percent of the families deny donation of their loved one’s organs.

Organ Donation in India

  • Legalised by Law

Organ donations are legal as per the Indian law. The Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994 enacted by the government of India permits organ donation and legalizes the concept of brain death.

  • Documentation and Formalities

The donor is required to fill a prescribed form. The same can be taken from the hospital or other medical facility approached for organ donation or can be downloaded from the ministry of health and family welfare government of India’s website.

In case of a deceased donor, a written consent from the lawful custodian is required in the prescribed application form.

As is the case with the rest of the world, the demand of organs in India is much higher compared to their supply. There is a major shortage of donated organs in the country. Several patients are on the wait list and many of them succumb to death waiting for organ transplant.

The government of India is making efforts to spread awareness about organ transplant to encourage the same. However, it needs to take effective steps to raise the number of donors.

Essay on Organ Donation in 500 words

Organ donation refers to the process of giving organs or tissues to a living recipient who requires a transplant. Organ donation is mostly done after death. However, certain organs can be donated even by a living donor.

The organs that are mostly used for the purpose of transplant include kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones and bone marrow. Each country follows its own procedure for organ donation. Here is a look at how different countries encourage and process organ donation.

Organ Donation Process – Opt In and Opt Out

While certain countries follow the organ donation opt-in procedure others have the opt-out procedure in place. Here is a look at the difference between these two processes of organ donation:

  • Opt In System: In the opt-in system, people are required to proactively sign up for the donation of their organs after death.
  • Opt Out System: Under this system, organ donation automatically occurs unless a person specifically makes a request to opt out before death.

Organ Donation in Different Countries

India follows the opt-in system when it comes to organ donation. Anyone who wishes to donate organs needs to fill a prescribed form available on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India’s website.

In order to control organ commerce and encourage donation after brain death, the government of India came up with the law, The Transplantation of Human Organs Act in the year 1994. This brought about a considerable change in terms of organ donation in the country.

Spain is known to be the world leader in organ donations. It follows the opt-out system for organ donation.

  • United States

The need for organs in the United States is growing at a rapid pace. Though there has been a rise in the number of organ donors, however, the number of patients waiting for the organs has increased at a much higher rate. Organ donation in the United States is done only with the consent of the donor or their family. However, several organizations here are pushing for the opt-out organ donation.

  • United Kingdom

Organ donation in the United Kingdom is voluntary. Individuals who want to donate their organs after death can register for the same.

This is the only country that has been able to overcome the shortage of transplant organs. It has a legal payment system for organ donation and is also the only country that has legalized organ trade.

Organ donation is quite low in Japan as compared to other western countries. This is mainly due to cultural reasons, distrust in western medicines and a controversial organ transplant that took place in 1968.

In Columbia, the ‘Law 1805’ passed in August 2016, introduced the opt-out policy for organ donation.

Chile opted for the opt-out policy for organ donation under the, ‘Law 20,413’ wherein all the citizens above the age of 18 years will donate organs unless they specifically deny it before death.

Most of the countries around the world suffer from low organ donor rate. The issue must be taken more seriously. Laws to increase the rate of organ donation must be put in place to encourage the same.

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Essay on Organ Donation in 600 words

Organ Donation is the surgical removal of a living or dead donor’s organs to place them in the recipient to render him/her a new life. Organ donation has been encouraged worldwide. However, the demand of human organs far outweighs the supply. Low rate of organ donation around the world can be attributed to various reasons. These reasons are discussed below in detail.

Teleological Issues

The moral status of the black market organ donation is debatable. While some argue in favour of it others are absolutely against the concept. It has been seen that those who donate their organs are generally from the poor section of the society and those who can afford these are quite well off. There is thus an imbalance in the trade.

It has been observed that those who can purchase the organs are taking advantage of the ones who are desperate to sell. This is said to be one of the reasons for the rising inequality of status between the rich and the poor. On the other hand, it is argued that those who want to sell their organs should be allowed to do so as preventing them from it is only contributing to their status as impoverished. Those who are in favour of the organ trade also argue that exploitation is preferable to death and hence organ trade must be legalized. However, as per a survey, later in life the living donors regret their decision of donating their organs.

Several cases of organ theft have also come forward. While those in support of the legalization of organ market say that this happens because of the black market nature of trade while others state that legalizing it would only result in the rise of such crimes as the criminal can easily state that the organ being sold has not been stolen.

Deontological Issues

These are defined by a person’s ethical duty to take action. Almost all the societies in the world believe that donating organs voluntarily is ethically permissible. Many scholars believe that everyone should donate their organs after death.

However, the main issue from the standpoint of deontological ethics is the debate over the definitions of life, death, body and human. It has been argued that organ donation is an act of causing self harm. The use of cloning to come up with organs with a genotype identical to the recipient is another controversial topic.

Xenotransplantation which is the transfer of animal organs into human bodies has also created a stir. Though this has resulted in increased supply of organs it has also received a lot of criticism. Certain animal rights groups have opposed the sacrifice of animals for organ donation. Campaigns have been launched to ban this new field of transplantation.

Religious Issues

Different religious groups have different viewpoints regarding organ donation. The Hindu religion does not prohibit people from donating organs. The advocates of the Hindu religion state that it is an individual choice. Buddhists share the same view point.

The Catholics consider it as an act of love and charity. It is morally and ethically acceptable as per them. The Christian Church, Islam, United Methodists and Judaism encourage organ donation. However, Gypsies tend to oppose it as they believe in afterlife. The Shintos are also against it as they believe that injuring a dead body is a heinous crime.

Apart from this, the political system of a country also impacts organ donation. The organ donation rate can increase if the government extends proper support. There needs to be a strong political will to ensure rise in the transplant rate. Specialized training, care, facilities and adequate funding must be provided to ensure a rise.

The demand for organs has always been way higher than their supply due to the various issues discussed above. There is a need to focus on these issues and work upon them in order to raise the number of organ donors.

Essay on Organ Donation FAQs

How do you write an organ donation essay.

To write an organ donation essay, start with an introduction explaining its importance, discuss benefits, address common concerns, and conclude with a call to action for readers to consider becoming donors.

What is a short note on organ donation?

Organ donation involves willingly giving one's organs after death to save lives. It's a selfless act that can bring hope and health to those in need.

How important is organ donation?

Organ donation is crucial as it saves lives by providing organs to individuals suffering from organ failure, offering them a chance for a healthier and longer life.

What is the aim of organ donation?

The aim of organ donation is to provide organs and tissues from willing donors to those in need, improving the quality of life and increasing survival rates for recipients.

What are the 4 types of organ donation?

The four types of organ donation include deceased donation (after death), living donation (from a living person), paired exchange (swapping organs between two donor-recipient pairs), and directed donation (to a specific person).

What is the concept of organ donation?

Organ donation is the voluntary act of giving one's organs or tissues to save or enhance the lives of others, often occurring after death or, in some cases, while the donor is still alive.

Which organ Cannot be donated?

The brain cannot be donated for transplantation. While other organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs can be donated, the brain's complex functions make it ineligible for donation.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Organ Donation — Organ Donation: Unlocking the Benefits, Types, and Misconceptions

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Organ Donation: Unlocking The Benefits, Types, and Misconceptions

  • Categories: Organ Donation Organ Transplant

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Words: 1229 |

Published: Oct 2, 2020

Words: 1229 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, the urgent need for organ donation, types of organ donation, misconceptions surrounding organ donation, the profound benefits of organ donation.

  • Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). (2019). OPTN/SRTR 2018 Annual Data Report. https://srtr.transplant.hrsa.gov/annual_reports/2018_ADR_Preview.aspx
  • Donate Life America. (n.d.). Types of Donation. https://www.donatelife.net/types-of-donation/
  • Donate Life America. (n.d.). Religion and Organ Donation. https://www.donatelife.net/faith-and-donation/
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2019). The Living Donor. https://www.organdonor.gov/about/process/living-donation.html
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2019). What Can Be Donated. https://www.organdonor.gov/about/process/organs.html
  • Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). (2019). The Need Is Real: Data. https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/data/view-data-reports/national-data/#.
  • American Transplant Foundation. (n.d.). Myths About Organ Donation. https://www.americantransplantfoundation.org/about-transplant/facts-and-myths/myths-about-organ-donation/

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what is organ donation essay

Essay on Organ Donation for Students in 1000 Words

Essay on Organ Donation for Students and Children in 1000 Words

In this article, read an essay on organ donation for students and children in 1000 words. It includes meaning, celebration of organ donation day, process, demand, and black market of organ donation.

Table of Contents

Essay on Organ Donation (1000 Words)

Organ donation is a significant donation. It is also said a “reward for life” in other words. By doing this, we can give life to many people.

Nowadays, many prostitutes help in donating organs, encourage it. Nowadays, organs like kidneys, eyes, liver, heart, small intestine, skin tissue are in high demand.

Thousands of people die in an accident in the country every day whose organ donation gives life to other people. Most of the extracted organs are transplanted within 6 to 72 hours. One donor can save eight lives. Donations of liver, kidney, lungs, pancreas, and intestine can be made while alive.

Also read: Essay on Corruption Free India

What is organ donation?

Organ donation is a process in which healthy organs and tissues are taken from a human being (dead and sometimes even alive). Then these organs are transplanted to another needy person. In this way, the life of another person can be saved with organ donation. Organ Donation by One Person Donation made by one person can help 50 needy people.

Organ Donation in India

In India, the percentage of organ donation is deficient according to the population. Every year 5 lakh people in the country die due to lack of organs at the right time. In this, 2 lakh people die due to liver disease. Fifty thousand people die due to vision sickness.

Organ Donation Day Celebration

Organ donation day is celebrated on 13 August every year in government, non-governmental organizations. Institutions such as Gift Ek Jeevan, Mohan Foundation, Gift Your Organ Foundation, Dadhichi Dehdaan Samiti help in organ donation. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi NCR, Punjab are the most donating states in the country.

Major Organs to Donate

Kidney, liver, intestine, blood vessel, intoxication, skin, bones, ligaments (ligaments) heart, pancreas, heart valves (soft bone), blood, platelets, tissue, the cornea (cornea), tendons.

Problems In Organ Donations

The rule is that in the event of a road accident, only those who died in the hospital can be taken part of their logo. Many people die at the accident site. In such a situation, no part can be found from them.

People are not aware yet. Consider it wrong. Many people do not even register to donate organs during their lifetime. People suffering from cancer, AIDS, infection, sepsis, or any serious illness cannot give an organ.

Organ donation process

A. living organ donor.

Comprehensive medical investigations are required before donating organs to living donors. It also includes the psychological evaluation of the donor to ensure that he or she understands the consequences of the donation and wants to consent to it.

b. Dead donor

With deceased donors, it is first verified whether or not the donor is dead. Death is usually confirmed many times by neuro physicians when it is determined that any part of it can be donated.

After death, they placed the body on a mechanical ventilator to ensure that the organ remains in good condition. Most organs function outside the body for only a few hours and thus ensure that they reach the recipient immediately after removal from the body.

Difference between demand and supply

The need for physical organs is much higher than the number of donors around the world. Every year many patients die while waiting for donors.

Statistics show that the average annual kidney demand in India is two lakhs, while only 6 thousand kidneys are received. Similarly, the average annual market for the heart is 50 thousand, whereas only 15 are available.

I order to increase the number of donors for organs; there is a need to create awareness among the public for donating organs.

Towards this end, the government has also taken some steps like spreading awareness through TV and the Internet, though we still have a long way to go to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

The black market of organs selling

On the one hand, where we are promoting organ donation, its theft has also happened a lot. Nowadays, the theft and black marketing of organs has increased in India.

In government-private hospitals, patients’ kidneys (kidneys), and other organs are being stolen from the nexus of the doctors.

Fake Organization

Many such organizations are active in many states who steal the organs of innocent spears. Such theft is done during the operation.

The organs are sold in foreign patients at high prices. A case of fraud continues to be exposed every day. Weak, vulnerable sections become the most victims of it.

People with plentiful money are ready to pay any cost to the limbs to save their lives. Doctors also keep stealing organs by being lured by money. Thousands of foreign patients come to our country every year, which has some part or two.

Flexibility in Law

Taking advantage of the flexible law of organ transplantation in the country, such people gain organs corruptly. Some poor patients sell their organs for money, but some are fraudulently removed.

Price of organs in the black market

Kidney – 5 to 10 lakhs Bone marrow – 2.5 million Surrogacy (rental womb) – 10 to 20 lakhs Lever – 5 to 10 lakh Heart – above 20 lakhs Cornea – 1.5 million One inch skin – according to 42 thousand rupees

What happens to organs?

Doctors quickly transplant these organs into any patients who have already needed them. Organ transplant hospitals have a waiting list. According to him, the organ is put in the patient whose number is there.

The blood group and many other tests are done for matching while performing the organ. If everything is fine, then the organ is put in, and if the match is not there, then it is matched with the next patient on the waiting list.

Time Duration for Transplant

  • The liver should be transplanted within 6 hours of removal.
  • The kidney should be taken within 12 hours.
  • Eyes should be installed within three days.

Organ donation can save a person’s life. Its importance should not be ignored. A proper system should be encouraged to donate the organ. I hope you will like this essay on organ donation.

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Organ Donation Essay

Organ donation is a noble act of transplanting healthy organs from a donor to a patient receiver. Human body organs and tissues that function properly are collected and transplanted into patients’ bodies to save their lives. In most cases, organ donations are performed after the donor’s death. But some organs can be donated even when the donors are alive. Kids learning activities like organ donation essays will help them attain more scientific knowledge and better their academic performances.

Superheroes are not born; they are made by society. By participating in activities like organ donations, people can save lives and turn themselves into real superheroes. The following short essay in English on the necessity of performing organ donation in society will help kids improve their basic knowledge about the human body. BYJU’S importance of organ donation essay for kids will also help develop social consciousness and humanity in their minds.

organ donation essay

Table of Contents

What is organ donation, necessity of organ donation in the society.

Organ donation can be defined as the process of transplanting an organ or tissue from one person to another person through surgical methods. The recipient performs the transplantation because of organ failure or damage caused by disease or injury. Organ donation marks the advancement of science in the medical sector.

People of all ages can perform organ donation. Organ donations are completely voluntary actions, and people cannot be compelled to engage in these activities. Illiteracy, lack of proper guidance, lack of awareness, the fright of surgery, etc., are some of the major reasons that stop a person from engaging in such charity practices. People hesitate to donate organs because of their misunderstandings related to organ donation procedures. Myths and misconceptions about organ donation have to be cleared from people’s minds. Teachers can direct their students to visit online resources like BYJU’S essay on health education to learn more about human health.

The kidney, eyes, liver, heart, skin tissues, small intestines, and lungs are some of the organs that people commonly donate. Participation in organ donation is a great form of charity and social service. It marks the contribution of individuals after death. We all should pledge to donate our organs to save lives and promote the importance of organ donation by participating in various campaigns.

World Organ Donation Day is observed annually on August 13. It is celebrated by people worldwide to raise awareness about the necessity of organ donation in society. The World Health Organisation and other health organisations conduct live classes on health-related topics to educate people. Essay writing activities on topics like the necessity of organ donation in society and organ donation essay are excellent tools for teaching the little ones about the process and importance of organ donations. For more essays, worksheets and stories , visit BYJU’S website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is organ donation.

Organ donation is the practice of surgically transplanting an organ or tissue from one person to another person.

When is World Organ Donation Day?

August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day.

What do children learn from BYJU’S organ donation essay?

BYJU’S organ donation essay provides an opportunity for kids to attain knowledge of the human organ system. Practising essay writing activities will help them perform well in their academics and score good marks.

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93 Organ Donation Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best organ donation topic ideas & essay examples, ⭐ good research topics about organ donation, 👍 interesting topics to write about organ donation, ❓ organ donation research questions.

  • Importance of Organ Donation Considering the huge number of people in need of different body organs today, and the many that are dying each day due to organ problems, a socially upright member of our society should not consider […]
  • Organ Transplantation and Donation Since people donate organs to others regardless of their locations, nations need to be cautious in order to avoid spread of diseases in the process. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • Organ and Blood Donation However, ethical and legal issues, and unwillingness of many potential donors to provide consents have slowed down the rate of organ and blood donation in the county.
  • Organ Donation: Willingness to Donate Organ Among Medical Students In conclusion, organ donation is a vital and life-changing procedure that can help save lives and improve the quality of life for those in need.
  • The COVID-19 Impact on Organ Donation The official statistics of the United States government also support the idea that with the onset of the pandemic, the number of organ transplantation procedures has decreased. The pandemic appears to be the main cause […]
  • The Organ Donation Legislation Critique She expresses outrage and condemnation of the current organ donation legislation and the politicians who drafted it. If the global majority accepts such a perspective, it will lead to a worldwide spike of violence and […]
  • Researching of Xenograft and Organ Donation Doctors have been searching for methods to save lives all along, and xenograft has shown to be one of the most reliable, particularly when it comes to organ replacement. A xenograft is fraught with dangers, […]
  • Organ Donation: Donor Prevalence in Saudi Arabia Donating organs does not pose a threat to the life of the donor; however, it can save the lives of many other people who need organ transplants.
  • Organ Donation Registry Beginning 16th February 2010 through to the 18th the Ypsilanti Lions club organized the organ donation registry table whose main purpose was to invite people from all walks of life to literally give a piece […]
  • Organ Donation: Postmortem Transplantation The ethicality of such actions has been questioned, as this procedure may be ambiguously perceived by the relatives of the deceased patient and the recipient of organs.
  • The Issue of Compensation for Organ Donation Nevertheless, in spite of the fact that proponents of the compensation for the organ donation indicate obvious advantages of using this approach for the healthcare system, opponents emphasize the unethical character of such approaches.
  • Organ Donation: Ethical and Legal Considerations The other approach is by requesting the family of the deceased to give consent for the donation in a case where the deceased did not permit earlier on.
  • Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia: Survey Results A total of 27 participants answered the questions that were asked in the survey. The problems that are behind the ambiguity that people have over this issue are some of their limitations and perceptions.
  • Organ Donation: Ethical Dilemmas An example of an ethical dilemma surrounding the procedure is the case of rich man vs.poor man, or rather, the case of a person who can afford to buy an organ on the black market […]
  • Ethics of Organ Donation After Human Death In reference to this case, the ethical dilemma is related to the fact that the hospital administrator needs to disregard the necessity of informed consent for organ donation.
  • Medical Ethics of Child’s Organ Donation Obviously, the parents are the only people who represent the wishes of the patient in the case. The above-mentioned position seems to be viable when it comes to the concept of the greatest good used […]
  • Gene Patenting and Organ Donation Profitability is the key to violating the law, and that is the reason for the lack of transparency in the tissue market.
  • Organ Donation and Transplantation Medicine Although money and financial support will be a major factor in the process of body transplant that Canavero expects to take two years, pegging human life on money is unethical.
  • Organ Donation Myths: Critical Thought This essay is aimed at subverting three of the most common myths about the subject matter by considering the facts closely, relating them to the values concerning the organ donation, and isolating the issues related […]
  • Organ Donation: Importance Information Because of the improved and advanced technology, the practice of organ transplant is becoming more popular and acceptable in the society.
  • Ethical Issues in Organ Donation According to the authors of the study, death is defined as, “the irreversible loss of the integrated and coordinated life of the person as a single living organism”.
  • The Ethics of Organ Donation in Modern World The patient is referred to a transplant center and is to their “dismay” put on a national waiting list, after a “series of interviews, physical and medical tests” to determine the suitability of the recipient […]
  • Pros and Cons of Paying for Organ Donation: Arguments for Prohibition Although the potential of people to purchase organs might bring in profits to health care and increase supply and demand of transplanted organs, the fact of increased supply rates is doubtful because recent surveys prove […]
  • The Nebraska Laws on Organ Donation in the United States
  • Factors Influencing Organ Donation Among African Americans
  • Pros and Cons of a New Opt-Out System of Organ Donation
  • An Argument in Favor of Encouraging Organ Donation After Death for Transplantation Opportunities
  • Beneficence Justice Malfeasance and Autonomy in Organ Donation
  • The Cases of Brain Death and Organ Donation in Children and Adults
  • Comparison of the Organ Donation in the U.S. and Sweden
  • Compensation for Organ Donation: The Sale of Organs
  • Could Death Row Inmates Be a Viable Source for Organ Donation
  • Overview of the Dutch and Belgium Organ Donation Acts
  • Donation of the Organs and Their Harmful Effects on the Society
  • Knoweldge and Attitudes of Health Professionals on Organ Donation
  • Financial Compensation for Organ Donation
  • Analyzing the Importance of the Organ Donation
  • The Benefits and Shotrcomes of Organ Donation
  • Improving Organ Donation Through Clarification and Education
  • Increasing Organ Donation via Changes in the Default Choice or Allocation Rule
  • Organ Donation: Why Everyone Should Be a Donor
  • Legal and Ethical Issues Regarding Organ Donation
  • Mandatory Organ Donation: Ethical or Unethical
  • Organ Donation: How Recipients Are Chosen and Should Donors Be Compensated
  • The Discussion of the Legalization of Organ Donation
  • Effects of the Organ Donation on the Lives of Thousands of Recipients
  • Ethical Issues Surrounding Organ Donation
  • Why Cash for Kidneys Is Better Than Organ Donation
  • Organ Donation Issues and Laws: Federal and California State
  • Social Madia Initiative May Help Increase Organ Donation
  • Organ Donation: Life That You May Have the Power to Save
  • The Best Ways to Decrease the Shortage of Organs for Transplantation
  • Public Policies in the Question of Consent for Organ Donation
  • Organ Donation: Keeping the Gift of Life Alive
  • Description of the Commercial Market for Organ Donation
  • The Controversy Associated With the Opt-Out Organ Donation
  • The Life Saving Benefits of Organ Donation
  • Comparing Organ Donation Programmes Across the World
  • The Global Need for Organ Donations
  • Why Organ Donation Should Be Encouraged
  • Organ Donation: Two Deaths or One Life
  • Neonatal and Pediatric Organ Donation: Ethical Perspectives and Implications
  • Organ Donation and Forest Depletion Depicted in Fitzhugh’s “The Organ Grinders”
  • Is There a Black Market for Organ Donation?
  • What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Organ Donation?
  • How Is Organ Donation a Lucrative Business?
  • Why Do Muslims Disagree With Organ Donation?
  • Is Organ Donation Against God and Nature?
  • What Are the Ethical Issues in Organ Donation?
  • Is the US Opt-in or Opt-Out for Organ Donation?
  • Why Is Organ Donation a Moral Issue?
  • How Does the Process of Organ Donation Work?
  • What Ethical Theory Is Against Organ Donation?
  • Does Islam Support the Concept of Organ Donation After Death?
  • What Is the Most Complicated Organ Donation?
  • Are Organ Donations Compulsory in China?
  • Why Can’t Organ Donation Be Mandatory?
  • Is There an Age Limit for Organ Donation?
  • What Do Religions Think About Organ Donation?
  • Why Is Organ Donation in Exchange for Money Illegal?
  • Is an Opt-in or Opt-Out More Effective for Organ Donation?
  • What Are the Disadvantages of Organ Donation After Death?
  • Are Religious Beliefs Keeping Organ Donations From Going Mainstream?
  • What Cultures Don’t Believe in Organ Donation?
  • Why Is Organ Donation Uncommon in India?
  • Should Presumed Consent for Organ Donation Be Used in the US?
  • What Are the Laws Behind Organ Donation?
  • How Does the Debate on Deontology vs. Consequentialism Stand When It Comes to Organ Donation?
  • What Are the Emotional Tolls of Organ Donation for the Donor?
  • How Do Living Organ Donations Compare to Deceased Organ Donations in the United States?
  • What Are the Challenges of Organ Donation?
  • Are There Barriers to Organ Donation in the US?
  • Why Are Donated Organs Sometimes Rejected?
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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Organ Donation - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Organ Donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). Essays could explore the ethical, social, and medical aspects of organ donation, including the processes of organ transplantation, the importance of donor registries, and the debates surrounding consent and allocation policies. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Organ Donation you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Mandatory Organ Donation: Ethical or Unethical

The American Transplant Foundation reports that every 12 minutes, there is an additional member who joins 123,000 national organ transplant donors. Even though many people are aware of the advantages that come with organ donation, they may not comprehend all the benefits that come with organ donation, especially to the donor (Santivasi, Strand, Mueller & Beckman, 2017). The subject of organ donation is important because it improves the quality of life for the recipient of the organ transplant. For instance, […]

Should Organ Donation be Mandatory?

Organ donation is the gift of life. By donating organs you are literally saving thousands of adults and children. The number of patients whose organs are failing on a continuous bases. consequently , the more people who are on the list the less likely they are to get an organ which sadly results in their untimely death. But why would you want to see another human being die? Here in the united states, there is a shortage of organs. According […]

Should Organ Donors be Paid for Donations

There seems to be a great debate in this country about whether or not donors should be paid for organ donations. I honestly did not know that this debate was going on before I started doing research on this subject. It seems crazy to think that the state legislator should get involved in the question whether people should be paid for organ donations. I have read a few articles about"the gift of life" and it all sounds ridiculous to me. […]

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The Benefit of Organ Donation

If there is one thing that everyone in the world can agree on it is the fact that eventually we are all going to die. Death is going to happen to each and every one of us, and the thought of dying is usually very tragic to most people. It is not knowing what is going to happen that can cause the fear of dying in a person or a family. Diseases and tragic accidents are usually the cause for […]

Understanding of Organ Donation

Do we ever think about those patients who lay on bed 24 hours days a week in search of Organ ? There are many simpler ways in which patients can be cured, but it gets very difficult when only one way left which is by donating organ. In simpler words, Organ Donation is the removal process of Organ or tissue from one person through surgical process to be transplanted to another person for the purpose of replacing an Organ injured […]

3D Printing and Bioprinting Revolutionizing Healthcare

3D bioprinting is one of the most anticipating and promising technological advancements of all time. According to the US National Library of Medicine, 3D bioprinting is "a manufacturing method in which objects are made by fusing or depositing materials? such as plastic, metal, ceramics, powders, liquids, or even living cells? in layers to produce a 3D object" (Ventola, 2014, para 2). Is With the capability of using real cells, 3D bioprinting will make it possible to create living tissue. This […]

Why Organ Donation should be Compulsory?

Imagine this: you are diagnosed with severe heart failure and your only chance of survival is to receive a heart transplant. Although your loved ones would desperately like to help, they are unable to. Unlike a set of lungs or a pair of kidneys, you only have one heart, thus making it impossible to consider the idea of utilizing a living donor. You now are faced with the fact that in order to live, you need to rely on an […]

Definition of Organ Donation

Organ donation is defined as the process of transplanting human organs from one person to another ("Organ donation," 2017). As of November 2018, there are more than 114,600 people on the national waiting list for a donor organ, and a new person is added to the list every 10 minutes ("Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network," n.d.). So far in 2018, over 30,400 transplants have been performed from more than 14,500 donors ("Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network," n.d.). The most commonly […]

Reborn to be Alive : Critical Analysis of an Advertisement

“Becoming a donor is probably your only chance to get inside her.” Reborn to be Alive showcases their slogan proudly across their advertisement as a provocative half-naked woman entices the viewer with her gaze. Being an organ donor means being selfless, having compassion, and altruism; yet being an organ donor isn’t enough sufficiency for a good marketing campaign, thus the sexist direction of their advertisement. Reborn to be Alive meant to capture men’s attention by the use of such sexist […]

Role of the Default Bias in Organ Donation Rates

The first law of motion, also known as the law of inertia by Newton goes like this: A body in motion remains in motion or, if at rest, remains at rest at a constant velocity unless acted on by an external force. If one thought inertia was only confined to the walls of physics, behavioral economics asks them to think again. Here I'd like to introduce the reader to the concept of cognitive bias – an organized and consistent pattern […]

Organ Donation Programmes Across the World

Organ Donation Programmes Across the World China Till 2014, Chinese authorities permitted the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners without prior consent from them or their families. In fact, in December 2005, the country’s deputy health minister estimated that as many as 95 per cent of the organs used in China’s transplants came from such sources. Since then, China has banned the practice and is now trying to galvanize organ donations from regular civilians. Iran Iran is the as it […]

Organ Donation not being Accessible for all

Organ Donation: Not Accessible for All "Don't think of organ donation as giving up part of yourself to keep a total stranger alive. It's really a total stranger giving up almost all of themselves to keep part of you alive" (~Author Unknown). Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). This is necessary when the recipient's organ has failed or has been […]

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Texas Surgeon Is Accused of Secretly Denying Liver Transplants

A Houston hospital is investigating whether a doctor altered a transplant list to make his patients ineligible for care. A disproportionate number of them have died while waiting for new organs.

A billboard with a portrait and the phrase, “Dr. Bunon gives new life to transplant patients.”

By Brian M. Rosenthal and Jessica Silver-Greenberg

For decades, Dr. J. Steve Bynon Jr., a transplant surgeon in Texas, gained accolades and national prominence for his work, including by helping to enforce professional standards in the country’s sprawling organ transplant system.

But officials are now investigating allegations that Dr. Bynon was secretly manipulating a government database to make some of his own patients ineligible to receive new livers, potentially depriving them of lifesaving care.

Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, where Dr. Bynon oversaw both the liver and kidney transplant programs, abruptly shut down those programs in the past week while looking into the allegations.

On Thursday, the medical center, a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Texas, said in a statement that a doctor in its liver transplant program had admitted to changing patient records. That effectively denied the transplants, the hospital said. An official with knowledge of the investigation identified the physician as Dr. Bynon, who is employed by the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and has had a contract to lead Memorial Hermann’s abdominal transplant program since 2011.

It was not clear what could have motivated Dr. Bynon. Reached by phone on Thursday, he referred questions to UTHealth Houston. He did not confirm he had admitted to altering records.

On Friday, after this article was published online, UTHealth Houston released a statement to news outlets defending Dr. Bynon as “an exceptionally talented and caring physician, and a pioneer in abdominal organ transplantation.” The statement said that the survival rates of Dr. Bynon’s patients who received transplants were among the best in the nation. “Our faculty and staff members, including Dr. Bynon, are assisting with the inquiry into Memorial Hermann’s liver transplant program and are committed to addressing and resolving any findings identified by this process,” it said.

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Founded in 1925, Memorial Hermann is a major hospital in Houston, but it has a relatively small liver transplant program. Last year, it performed 29 liver transplants, according to federal data, making it one of the smallest programs in Texas.

In recent years, a disproportionate number of Memorial Hermann patients have died while waiting for a liver, data shows. Last year, 14 patients were taken off the center’s waiting list because they either died or became too sick, and its mortality rate for people waiting for a transplant was higher than expected, according to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, a research group.

This year, as of last month, five patients had died or become too sick to receive a liver transplant, while the hospital had performed three transplants, records show. The investigation is in early stages, and it was unclear if possible changes to the waiting list actually resulted in a patient not receiving a liver. A hospital spokeswoman said the center treated patients who were more severely ill than average.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement that it was also investigating the allegations. So is the United Network for Organ Sharing, the federal contractor that oversees the country’s organ transplant system.

“We acknowledge the severity of this allegation,” the H.H.S. statement said. “We are working diligently to address this issue with the attention it deserves.”

Officials began investigating after being alerted by a complaint. An analysis then found what the hospital called “irregularities” in how patients were classified on a waiting list for liver transplants. When doctors place a patient on the list, they must identify the types of donors they would consider, including the person’s age and weight.

Hospital officials said they found patients had been listed as accepting only donors with ages and weights that were impossible — for instance, a 300-pound toddler — making them unable to receive any transplant.

Other transplant surgeons said if the list was tampered with, patients would not be aware of changes in their status.

“They’re sitting at home, maybe not traveling, thinking they could get an organ offer any time, but in reality, they’re functionally inactive, and so they’re not going to get that transplant,” said Dr. Sanjay Kulkarni, the vice chair of the ethics committee at the United Network for Organ Sharing. “It’s highly unusual, I’ve never heard of it before, and it’s also highly inappropriate.”

The hospital said in its statement that it did not know how many patients were affected by the changes, or when they began. It said the issues affected only the liver transplant program, but the hospital also closed the kidney transplant program because it was led by the same doctor.

Dr. Bynon, 64, has spent his career in abdominal transplants, and is considered one of the early practitioners of advanced liver transplants. He spent nearly 20 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before moving to Texas in 2011.

Some former colleagues described Dr. Bynon as off-putting and arrogant, while others called him talented and dedicated.

“In my experience, everything he did was about the patient,” said Dr. Brendan McGuire, the medical director of liver transplants at that Alabama program, who worked with Dr. Bynon for more than a decade. “When he transplanted someone, that person was his patient for life.”

On its LinkedIn page, the University of Texas Health Science Center once featured a photo of a billboard with Dr. Bynon on it . The sign read, “Dr. Bynon gives new life to transplant patients.”

Dr. Bynon also served on the Membership and Professional Standards Committee of the United Network for Organ Sharing, which investigates wrongdoing in the transplant system.

Most recently, in December, Dr. Bynon made headlines for performing a kidney transplant for former Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes of Texas.

The closure of the programs at Memorial Hermann has surprised many in the transplant community because it is extremely rare for a program to be suspended over ethical issues.

At the time it shut down its programs, Memorial Hermann had 38 patients on its liver transplant waiting list and 346 patients on its kidney list, according to the hospital.

Officials said they were contacting those patients to help them find new providers.

Roni Caryn Rabin contributed reporting. Susan C. Beachy and Kirsten Noyes contributed research.

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Brian M. Rosenthal is an investigative reporter who has worked at The Times since 2017. More about Brian M. Rosenthal

Jessica Silver-Greenberg is an investigative reporter writing about big business with a focus on health care. She has been a reporter for more than a decade. More about Jessica Silver-Greenberg

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what is organ donation essay

They were bitter rivals. Then one of them needed a kidney.

It was a long journey for james harris jr. and russ redhead to become close enough that they now wear matching t-shirts that say ‘kidney buddies for life’.

what is organ donation essay

James Harris Jr. and Russ Redhead were friendly adversaries in pool halls around Maryland and Pennsylvania over the years, competing in tournaments for cash, vacations and local acclaim.

But when Harris beat Redhead for an all-expenses-paid trip to an international pool tournament in Las Vegas 10 years ago, their rivalry took a bitter turn, Harris said.

Under the rules of the game, because Redhead played at a higher skill level, Harris was given a 20-point handicap advantage during their contest at the Bank Shot Bar and Grill in Laurel, Md. Harris said that Redhead was so upset about his loss that he went on Facebook to vent.

“He blasted me all over the place, saying I was cheating the system and had been given an unfair rating,” said Harris, 54, of Glen Burnie, Md.

“I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I wasn’t very kind,” added Redhead, 42, of Lancaster, Pa. “When people started defending James, I realized I’d made a big mistake.”

Redhead eventually apologized to Harris, he said, and now, a decade later, he has found another way to make up for his angry outburst.

On Feb. 8, the Marine veteran donated one of his kidneys to Harris at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

The night before the transplant, Redhead stayed at Harris’s place, and the men played a game of pool in the basement.

“We were playing nine ball , and I’d won the first two games for 30 bucks,” recalled Harris. “Russ had only 10 bucks left, so he told me he’d play the last game for a kidney.”

The laughs continued until the next morning, when the men had a flat tire on their way to the hospital.

“What are the odds? It was a blessing that my stepdad owns a towing company,” Harris said. “He got us there just in time.”

It was a long journey for Harris and Redhead to become close enough that they now wear matching T-shirts that say “Kidney buddies for life.”

“What do you say to someone who would do something so life-changing for you?” Harris said. “On the morning of the transplant, I gave him a heartfelt thank-you.”

“I’m happy that I could help save James’s life and give him more time to enjoy his family and play pool,” Redhead added. “I just knew it was the right thing to do.”

His decision to donate a kidney was set in motion in November 2022 when he ran into Harris’s wife, Denise Epps-Harris, at a pool tournament and learned that she’d recently posted on social media that James had end-stage kidney disease and desperately needed an organ donor. His kidneys had been failing for several years.

“Knowing James was a very private person, I knew he wouldn’t necessarily tell people about his situation,” Epps-Harris said. “So I did everything I could to get the word out.”

Although Harris continued to play pool, he was so ill that he’d quit his truck driving job because he needed frequent dialysis treatments, Epps-Harris told Redhead, noting that she and others in the family weren’t compatible donors.

Harris had been on the United Network for Organ Sharing transplant list for about two years, and the average wait time for a matching deceased donor’s kidney is three to five years . An organ from a living donor was her husband’s best option, she said.

Redhead said he was stunned to learn that one of his toughest competitors was in need.

“I had no clue that he’d been going through all of this,” Redhead said. “James isn’t one to tell people if he’s having problems. Like a lot of men, he doesn’t like to show his emotions.”

At that moment, Redhead said, he made a decision.

“Denise was telling me what was involved in being a living donor , and in my head, I’m going, ‘Okay, check, I’ve got that,’” he said. “I told Denise, ‘I can do it. I want to get tested and see if I can donate my kidney.’”

When Epps-Harris started crying and asked if he was serious, Redhead assured her that he was, he recounted. He then went through testing to see if he was a good donor for Harris, and learned late last year that he was an excellent match.

“I figured, ‘Okay, let’s do this,” said Redhead, a single father with one daughter.

“The way I was raised, when you can do something for someone, you just do it,” he said. “Except for the recovery time, this wasn’t going to affect me. Do I really need two kidneys when I can save a friend’s life with one?”

Harris was elated when his transplant coordinator called with the good news.

“I hadn’t wanted to get my hopes up about Russ or anybody else being a donor, so I told Denise not to give me details about how the testing was going,” Harris said. “When I heard that [Redhead] was a direct match, it was the best possible surprise.”

Before they were wheeled into surgery early on the morning of Feb. 8, the men gave each other a fist bump and shed a few tears, Redhead said.

“James was just truly grateful, and I felt grateful too, knowing he would soon live a normal life again,” he said.

The transplant was a success and both men were up and walking around the hospital one day after surgery, said Richard Ugarte, a transplant nephrologist who helped manage Harris’s care.

Harris returned to the hospital about a week and a half after the transplant when he became short of breath, but it turned out he had a minor problem with his medication, Ugarte said.

“James is an upbeat and optimistic person, which helps his recovery enormously,” he said. “His kidney function before the transplant was less than 5 percent, so the phenomenal gift of a new kidney made a huge difference right away.”

Harris said that within hours of returning home from the hospital, he felt energetic enough to head to his basement for a quick game of pool.

“They wanted me up and moving, so I told them, ‘This is moving,’” he said.

At some point, he plans to accept his kidney buddy’s offer to play a game or two at the pool hall Redhead plans to open this month in Lebanon, Pa.

Redhead said he’ll be ready whenever Harris shows up.

“We’ll always be rivals,” he said. “But who knows? It would also be fun to join up as a team.”

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what is organ donation essay

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COMMENTS

  1. The Power of Organ Donation to Save Lives Through Transplantation

    This guideline will help improve organ transplant outcomes, leading to more individuals being able to live healthier and longer lives. The science and evidence are clear and will improve the safety of organs, balanced with a clear and conscious regard for donors and recipients. It is the human aspect of donation and transplantation—helping ...

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    organ donation, the act of giving one or more organs (or parts thereof), without compensation, for transplantation into someone else. Organ donation is a very personal yet complex decision, intertwined with medical, legal, religious, cultural, and ethical issues. Today organ donation, strictly defined, encompasses the donation and transplantation of the heart, intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs ...

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  4. Importance of Organ Donation Essay (Critical Writing)

    To those that have in one way or the other received or given their body organs, they portray a good heroic example of human acts since, for example, one organ from one person can save up to 50 people (MedlinePlus, 2009). This can lead to saving many lives that would otherwise have been lost. In Michigan, a positive attitude towards organ ...

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    Essay on Organ Donation - Organ donation is a process in which a person willingly donates an organ of his body to another person. Furthermore, it is the process of allowing the removal of one's organ for its transplanting in another person. Moreover, organ donation can legally take place by the consent of the donor when he is alive.

  6. Organ Donation Essay For Students In English

    500+ Words Essay on Organ Donation. Organ donation is a noble cause, and by doing this, you can give life to many people. In the current scenario, organs like the small intestine, kidney, eyes, liver, heart, and skin tissues are in great demand. Every year, thousands of people die due to accidents, and their organs give life to different people ...

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  9. Organ Transplantation and Donation

    Conclusion. Organ transplantation is among the latest development in the field of medicine. Doctors have been able to save people's lives in the recent past whereby people donate body organs to institutions. However, a lot of activities have emerged involving organ donations leading to situations where people sell their organs.

  10. Organ Donation Essay: 7 Narrowed Topics and Credible Sources

    Organ donation essay topics are on verge of medicine and ethics and may take the form of a range of discursive questions: 1. What is the best way to decrease the shortage of organs for transplantation? 2. Should the legislature concerning organ transplantation be changed? 3.

  11. Essay on Organ Donation

    Organ Donation essay is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10. Organ donation is defined as the removal of organs from a body and transplanting it to a new body, by surgical means. Organ donation happens in a lot of ways. Unless it is consensual, it is not legal. The requirement for new organs usually arises when a person loses an organ to ...

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    Organ Donation in Contemporary UK. PAGES 8 WORDS 2693. 2009). The susceptibility is highest is the first month of the transplantation and decreases afterwards. it, however, remains high even after 12 following. Susceptibility is highest among kidney recipients who are more likely to develop the infection 12 months after the transplantation.

  13. 100 Words Essay on Organ Donation

    What is Organ Donation? Organ donation is a kind act where a person allows their organs to be moved into another person's body. When someone's organ, like their heart or kidney, stops working well, they might need a new one. Organ donation is a way to give them a healthy organ. This can save their lives or help them feel better.

  14. The Medical Minute: Six organ donation facts knock down six myths

    Deceased donors are sometimes 70 to 80 years old. What matters is the donor's overall health at the time of death and the organ function. Living donors must be healthy enough to undergo the operation safely and be well after donation, and the organ being donated must be able to do its job in its new host. Register to become an organ donor ...

  15. Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you

    Myth: Organ donation is against my religion. Fact: Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most major religions. These religions include Roman Catholicism, Islam, most branches of Judaism and most Protestant faiths. If you're unsure of or uncomfortable with your faiths position on organ donation, ask your clergy member.

  16. Organ Donation Essay In English For Students

    Essay on Organ Donation in 600 words. Organ Donation is the surgical removal of a living or dead donor's organs to place them in the recipient to render him/her a new life. Organ donation has been encouraged worldwide. However, the demand of human organs far outweighs the supply. Low rate of organ donation around the world can be attributed ...

  17. Organ Donation: Unlocking the Benefits, Types, and ...

    However, despite its critical importance, there persists a significant gap in awareness and understanding surrounding organ donation. This essay embarks on a journey to shed light on the multifaceted dimensions of organ donation, encompassing its types, benefits, and the misconceptions that often shroud this life-saving practice.

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    Essay on Organ Donation (1000 Words) Organ donation is a significant donation. It is also said a "reward for life" in other words. By doing this, we can give life to many people. Nowadays, many prostitutes help in donating organs, encourage it. Nowadays, organs like kidneys, eyes, liver, heart, small intestine, skin tissue are in high demand.

  19. Organ Donation Essay

    Organ donation is a noble act of transplanting healthy organs from a donor to a patient receiver. Human body organs and tissues that function properly are collected and transplanted into patients' bodies to save their lives. In most cases, organ donations are performed after the donor's death. But some organs can be donated even when the ...

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    Organ Donation Myths: Critical Thought. This essay is aimed at subverting three of the most common myths about the subject matter by considering the facts closely, relating them to the values concerning the organ donation, and isolating the issues related […] Organ Donation: Importance Information.

  21. Organ Donation Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

    12 essay samples found. Organ Donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). Essays could explore the ethical, social, and medical aspects of organ donation, including the processes of organ transplantation, the importance of donor ...

  22. Essay: History of transplantation

    Over the past 50 years organ transplantation has become established worldwide with ever-improving results, conferring immense benefit to hundreds of thousands of patients. The general principles of the surgical procedures and organ preservation have been accepted for all organ transplants, but the biology of graft rejection is still only partly understood.

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    Cause and Effect Argument Essay. Joseph Hicks Department of English, Grand Canyon University ENG- Dr. Amy Green July 2021. Organ donation in itself can be a very beautiful and fulfilling process.

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    Donation of Organs Vitally Saves Lives. Monique Long College Name, Grand Canyon University ENG-106: English Composition II Raquel Givan October 12, 2022. Donation of Organs Vitally Saves Lives. Regularly increasing the number of individuals willing to donate organs is essential. However, the issue of organ donation is currently highly contentious.

  25. Texas Surgeon Is Accused of Secretly Denying Liver Transplants

    So is the United Network for Organ Sharing, the federal contractor that oversees the country's organ transplant system. "We acknowledge the severity of this allegation," the H.H.S. statement ...

  26. Cathy Coller

    My Story. I had kidney disease all my life it's a when I turned 30 years old I had to start dialysis for two half years, me and my brother have the same kidney disease, he got a kidney from are dad like 11 years ago. I had my kidney transplant in June 28, 2019 from a young lady that had a freak accident and she was 20 years old.

  27. Russ Redhead donated a kidney to his pool rival James Harris

    Harris had been on the United Network for Organ Sharing transplant list for about two years, and the average wait time for a matching deceased donor's kidney is three to five years. An organ ...