Busting Myths and Misconceptions About Organ Donation
Have you ever heard someone say something like "if you're an organ donor and are in a bad accident and in critical condition, doctors will let you die so that they can take your organs for transplant" ?? Or, "oh no, I can't become a donor, because if I do, something horrible may happen to me!" ?
Even some of us who have transplants, may even be guilty of having entertain similar misconceptions before ever needing a transplant.
Many foundations and organizations have tried to bring these myths and misconceptions forth to openly illustrate how silly this type of thinking is and how much damage it may cause for thousands of people who need a transplant. Unfortunately, as silly as these myths and misconceptions may be, they really do keep thousands of people from considering the truth about organ donation and their own possibilities to be affected by transplantation, whether themselves or a loved one.
This is one of the issues that has long been on my mind to really go after and do away with and the time to act is now! Here at Transplant Cafe, we've recently been discussing ways to tackle this issue and we think we're on to something!
What we've decided is to not only present and show ALL myths and misconceptions to the world, but to take advantage of all the great tools available today to bring massive amounts of traffic (eyeballs) to this information.
We will be releasing more specifics soon, but in a nutshell, we will combine the information with an instant call to action to register as a donor using some of the most effective internet copy writing, viral video production, email - search and banner marketing and many more online strategies that are known to create results for some of the most successful internet marketers worldwide!
And you get to help!
The first thing we are asking is to use the comment space below to add some of these myths and misconception you are aware of. Feel free to add just the myth or misconception alone, or add your own "bust" with it.. what you know that cancels out and disproves this misinformation.
The specifics of the campaign are not all clear just yet.. but, it will be big and you'll be a huge part of it! We will release more info as we move forward, but this is a great way to get the ball rolling.
So please, use the comment area below to add some of the myths and misconceptions you may have heard about organ donation and if you have it, any information, facts, resources, etc. that help to counter these.
And if you yourself have any reasons why you think becoming an organ donor may result on anyone acting unethically toward you, if you were ever in a position to need emergency medical help, please also add those as well.
Also, Holly has recently started a blog post addressing these issues that you may want to check out:
http://transplantcafe.com/profiles/blogs/myths-of-organ-donation
Feel free to post here or on her post as we'll be using both for this campaign.
Thanks for your support!
TC
Even some of us who have transplants, may even be guilty of having entertain similar misconceptions before ever needing a transplant.
Many foundations and organizations have tried to bring these myths and misconceptions forth to openly illustrate how silly this type of thinking is and how much damage it may cause for thousands of people who need a transplant. Unfortunately, as silly as these myths and misconceptions may be, they really do keep thousands of people from considering the truth about organ donation and their own possibilities to be affected by transplantation, whether themselves or a loved one.
This is one of the issues that has long been on my mind to really go after and do away with and the time to act is now! Here at Transplant Cafe, we've recently been discussing ways to tackle this issue and we think we're on to something!
What we've decided is to not only present and show ALL myths and misconceptions to the world, but to take advantage of all the great tools available today to bring massive amounts of traffic (eyeballs) to this information.
We will be releasing more specifics soon, but in a nutshell, we will combine the information with an instant call to action to register as a donor using some of the most effective internet copy writing, viral video production, email - search and banner marketing and many more online strategies that are known to create results for some of the most successful internet marketers worldwide!
And you get to help!
The first thing we are asking is to use the comment space below to add some of these myths and misconception you are aware of. Feel free to add just the myth or misconception alone, or add your own "bust" with it.. what you know that cancels out and disproves this misinformation.
The specifics of the campaign are not all clear just yet.. but, it will be big and you'll be a huge part of it! We will release more info as we move forward, but this is a great way to get the ball rolling.
So please, use the comment area below to add some of the myths and misconceptions you may have heard about organ donation and if you have it, any information, facts, resources, etc. that help to counter these.
And if you yourself have any reasons why you think becoming an organ donor may result on anyone acting unethically toward you, if you were ever in a position to need emergency medical help, please also add those as well.
Also, Holly has recently started a blog post addressing these issues that you may want to check out:
http://transplantcafe.com/profiles/blogs/myths-of-organ-donation
Feel free to post here or on her post as we'll be using both for this campaign.
Thanks for your support!
TC
Comment
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Comment by Eileen Forman on August 19, 2009 at 5:41pm -
A lot of people assume because I had a liver transplant for cirrhosis of the liver I must be an alcoholic. I am not and the doctors do not know why for sure why I got cirrhosis of the liver. I even had a doctor tell me if I didn't drink so much I wouldn't be in this position. I was furious.
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Comment by Donna Voorhees-Waltz on August 11, 2009 at 10:09am -
Catholics can be creamated, so my feeling...no sense burning up perfectly good organs.
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Comment by Stacey and Rachel Sweet on August 8, 2009 at 10:13am -
I have heard people say things like, "I am too old...no one will want anything from me" or "my health is not good enough...they can't use anything from me."
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Comment by Dale C. Flowers on August 8, 2009 at 9:26am -
"I want to get to heaven with all the organs God gave me" or some such statement. I ask them if they are familiar with the parable of the "Talents". One man received five and doubled them. One man received two and doubled them. One man received one and buried it. I ask them for the Master's reaction to those who used their talents tothe fullest and his reaction to the one who buried his. I then simply say, "Don't take your organs to heaven, God knows we need them here." If they get "uppity" I ask them if they have saved all their nail clippings. (a form of our skin, which is the largest organ).
da ole biker - dale
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Comment by Cliff Seib on August 7, 2009 at 11:52am -
My donor was on life support from a brain aneurysm and didn't have anything written re: his wishes to donate, but his wife and family knew what he wanted and the doctors took every organ to help others. They stopped short of eyes, tissue and bones.
I've heard every reason people have to NOT donate so nothing surprises me anymore.
And, I wish people would carry the card saying they are donors so there isn't a hassle at the hospital. From what I remember they were trying to get the card to supercede family that was anti donation.
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Comment by sylvia edwards on August 7, 2009 at 10:01am
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I had a liver transplant at Duke Univ Med Cntr 02/17/05...and am doing well, and fighting Hep C still...... there are a lot of myths ..... and I can understand how someone might think those thoughts...... a lot is from showing things happening (regarding the "taking of organs") in third world countries .... here in America it is a bit more sophisticated and safe......as to beliefs preventing someone from having a transplant, taking blood, etc ..... I just try to remember that medicine is based on logic and knowledge...... whereas religious beliefs are based on faith .... sometimes you just have to separate the two,,,, however if a person wants to believe that having a transplant is wrong .... they will believe that no matter what , and they have that right....just as I have the right to allow the drs to do whatever it takes ....Good Luck and God Bless us All ..... sylvia
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Comment by Cristy W on August 7, 2009 at 6:35am -
Judy, I'm glad you 'haven't had any problems', but many living donors do. Misconception 1: living donation is safe. Truth: The medical community hasn't been following or collecting data on living donors so they really don't know. Misconception 2: Living donation is 'low risk'. Truth: The term "low risk" refers to subjects of clinical studies (is that what living donors are - test subjects?), and is defined as 'assuming no more risk than everyday activity. Patently false. Living donors may suffer from myriad issues including permanent nerve damage, adrenal gland dysfunction, testicular swelling, and hernias. Not to mention depression, anxiety and PTSD. Misconception 3: living donors can live a normal life with one kidney. Truth: They can, but it doesn't mean they will. UNOS/OPTN has acknowledged that since 1993, they've put nearly 200 living donors on the waiting list in need of their own transplant.
I talk about many living donor issues much more in depth on my blog and website, www.livingdonor101.com
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Comment by Cheryl Manley on August 7, 2009 at 5:50am
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My second comment is that the doctors who work on you at the hospital are there to try to save your life. It is a separate team that harvests organs. I once attended a class that a physician was speaking at. He said that doctors hurt when a patient is lost, even after every attempt was made to save the life. When Amanda was called to Heaven, I knew everything possible was done to save her life. God just had different plans than mine were. I have had to accept that even though I don't understand it and just stand on my Faith!
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Comment by Cheryl Manley on August 7, 2009 at 5:47am
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As far as religious belief goes, the Bible says the dead in Christ will rise. If you really believe you need your organs to go to heaven, how do you explain those who have died in fires and so forth. It is proven that we turn to dust after we die. I believe that if God has the power to raise Jesus from the dead then He has the power to put a Heavenly Body together for Heaven!
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Comment by Michellmybell on August 7, 2009 at 5:24am -
My sister gave me one of her kidneys 4 weeks ago today. We are both doing awesome! We are paying it forward and getting the word out about live organ donation. It is so needed! We have been interviewed by our local news and in 2 of the local papers. My sister is even taking the message back with her when she returns back home to South Carolina this weekend. We will be doing all that we can to help spread the word!
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