THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGAN DONORS:

By WILLA DUBOIS ‘20

According to the Atlantic, 21 people in America die everyday waiting for an organ transplant, at least in part because only 45% of Americans are registered organ donors. Surprisingly, 95% of Americans agree with organ donation, so why are only half of those people registered?

Some Americans claim they are not organ donors because they fear doctors will not try as hard to save their lives. Others think that their death certificates will be signed while they are still alive, and many worry they will not be able to have an open casket funeral. None of these things are true. A doctor’s job is to try to save their patients life, and they always do so to the best of their ability, which includes not declaring a person dead without complete certainty. Additionally, great care is taken to preserve the appearance of organ donors for the sake of their loved ones. Many people are also concerned that they may not be healthy enough to donate organs, but even people with severe health conditions may be able to donate organs.

Organ donation is a hugely valuable and extremely powerful thing to do. An organ donor can save up to 8 lives and improve the lives of many others with more specific donations like skin and eyes, usually made at the discretion of family. That means that even upon your death, you can save the lives of other people and, in many cases, also enable them to do things they never imagined doing before. There are no words to describe the importance of the incredible gift of organ donation to the recipient, a gift that is at no cost to a donor who has already passed away. Aside from a few specific cases, there is no good reason not to be an organ donor.

In America, you must “opt-in” to being an organ donor; when you fill out the form to get your learner’s permit or ID, you check a box stating that you do wish to be an organ donor. As this box is labeled optional, it can be easily easily skipped or ignored by those who do not strongly wish to be organ donors. In some other countries, such as Austria and Spain, you must instead check a box indicating that you do not wish to be an organ donor. This way, any individual who has strong feelings against doning may still opt out, but those who don’t feel strongly and skip over the box are automatically registered as organ donors.

Just one person’s organ donation can save the lives of up to eight others at little to no cost to them or their loved ones, yet only 45% of Americans are registered organ donors. Organ donation could even save the life of someone you love. As Milton students begin registering for driver’s licenses and ID’s, I urge each and every one of you to ignore common myths, pay attention to forms, and opt-in to organ donation. I also hope that you will write to your senators and congressmen to advocate for a change to the opt-out system of donation in America. No one should die because we, in our rush to get out of a crowded DMV, simply don’t think to check a box.