Not only blood donation, organ donation can also be done to save the lives of others. However, before you decide to become a donor, there are a few things to consider. This is because not everyone can donate their organs.
Organ donation is the process of taking organs or body tissues from healthy people to be given to people who need new organs. The recipient of the organ could be a family member, friend, or other person you don't know.
Organ donation can be one way to save and improve the life of someone who has failed to function in one or more of his organs.
Things About Organ Donation
If you decide to donate an organ, there are some important things you need to know in advance, namely:
1. Organs that can be donated
Basically, almost all organs of the body can be donated to other people in need. Some of the organs in question include:
- Vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines
- Body tissues, including the cornea, skin, heart valves, bones, blood vessels, and connective tissue
- Bone marrow and stem cells
In some countries, certain body parts, such as the hands and face, can also be donated. Unfortunately, the procedure for donating body parts cannot be carried out in Indonesia.
2. Age of donor
Anyone who is healthy, both children and adults, can become an organ donor. However, donors who are under the age of 18 need a written permission and approval from their parents or guardians when they want to donate their organs.
3. Donor health condition and history
Ideally, people who want to donate their organs must have good health conditions and do not have functional disorders in certain organs, especially the organs they want to donate.
In addition, another requirement to become an organ donor is that there is no element of coercion. You have the right to refuse to donate organs if this procedure is against your will, even if the requester is your parent, partner, or boss.
A person is said to be unfit to become an organ donor if he suffers from certain conditions or diseases, such as:
- Infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Ebola, toxoplasmosis, and malaria
- Diabetes, especially uncontrolled and severe
- Kidney failure
- Heart disease
- Cancer, especially in patients with advanced cancer or who are undergoing cancer treatment
Before donating organs, a person will undergo a complete medical examination first. After being declared eligible to become an organ donor, the person can only donate organs or body tissues.
4. Types of organ donors
Based on the condition of the donor, organ donation procedures can be divided into two types, namely:
Live donor
An organ donor is called a living donor if the donor is still alive when the organ is removed and donated to others in need. Organs that can be donated while a person is still alive include the kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines, heart, and blood.
Donor dies
It is called a dead donor if the donor has died when the organ is harvested and given. A person can become a dead donor if he dies from certain conditions, such as a severe head injury, brain aneurysm, brain death, or stroke.
5. Risk of becoming a donor
If you are considering becoming a live organ donor, it is best to think carefully about the benefits and risks. Knowing that you can save someone's life may be one of your motivations or reasons for donating organs.
However, organ donation procedures require major surgery. This procedure carries the risk of causing a number of complications, such as bleeding, pain, infection, blood clots, or damage to organs and tissues.
In addition, you also need to take time to fully recover after undergoing organ donor surgery. After recovering, your health condition may also change and not be like the previous condition.
For example, if you donate one kidney, now there will be only one kidney working in the body. Thus, you must be more careful in consuming food and maintaining a healthy body.
Despite having a noble goal, donating organs is not an easy decision. You need to be declared healthy and fit to be an organ donor by a doctor, and be aware of the risks and possible complications that can occur after you donate your organs.
If you want to decide to become an organ donor, try consulting your doctor first. Ask the doctor clearly about what things need to be prepared and the risks that may be experienced.
