It is important to know what it exactly means by donating the organs. An organ transplant involves the surgical removal of a body organ from one patient (referred to as the donor) and putting it into another person that may need them due to some various reasons. By agreeing to become an organ donor, it means that you have allowed your organs to be removed and planted into someone that urgently need them for survival. In most cases, organs are donated from an individual that has recently died and they and they had given consent that their organs be donated. A family member may also approve for the organs of the deceased be donated. However, it is still possible to donate the organs even if you are alive. There are different organs that you can donate. Such include; blood, stem cell, platelets, and kidneys. Due to the advancement of technology in the field of medicine, it has become possible to successfully conduct a heart transplant operation.
It is also important to know who can donate the organs and who is not in a position to do so. You can be a donor irrespective of your age. Many people think that they cannot be donors because they are in their 80s and 90s. Even a baby can donate the organs. The thing is, irrespective of your age, you can donate the organs provided they are in a good functional state. The only important thing is having your parents consent if you are under the age of 18 years. If you have much concern about becoming an organ donor, you need to explain and convince them.
If you have some serious medical conditions such as HIV and cancer of the brain, you do not qualify to donate the organs. The best way to find out whether you qualify to be a donor is by checking with your doctor. The doctor will do some tests to confirm that you are healthy enough to donate the organs.
It is up to you to decide on what you can and cannot donate once you become a donor. After your death, doctors will not have to take everything from you. You can decide to donate any part of your body be it the kidneys, heart, intestines pancreas and any other organ that you may wish.
Organ donation is a matter that should not be taken lightly; you will need to notify your lawyer and family doctor before the undertaking. There are no expenses that are incurred by the donor but they all go the one that is receiving. Organs can be donated for scientific research apart from transplant purposes.