The Gift of Life through organ donation becomes a choice for a grieving
family. We bring you a remarkable reunion with the woman who now lives
with their little girl’s heart and lungs – today on
Listen Up.
Giving the gift of life through organ donation is pioneering new ground
in Canada. A shortage of transplantable organs has prompted
legislation to improve chances for those on waiting lists and desperate
for a new chance at life. Today - two families
whose lives have been forever changed by organ donation tell their
story. We’ll learn how they dealt with the reality of death,
and life after death.
We’ll watch a first time meeting between a donor family and
an organ recipient. Sandrine Craig was only 11 when a school
bus accident took her life. Her brother Kenny wanted her organs donated
so others could have life. Later in the program he meets for the first
time the woman who has his little sister’s heart and
lungs.
Diane Craig is the mother of Sandrine, the 11-year-old girl who was
tragically killed in a school bus accident on May 26th,
1999.
Diane was appointed as member of the Premier’s Advisory
Committee set up to evaluate and make recommendations to restructure
the donation/transplantation system in Ontario.
January 2000 she launched a national organ donor awareness campaign at
centre ice in a nationally televised ceremony with Don Cherry who is
honorary co-chair of Sandrine’s Gift of
Life.
In August of 2000, Diane was honoured by Avon Canada and Canadian
Living magazine with their first Women of Inspiration Award in
Vancouver, B.C. Diane was honoured in the social activism
category for her work to promote organ and tissue donation.
August 2001, Diane was appointed as member of the Canadian Council for
Donation and Transplantation.
April 23rd, 2001, Diane was recognized by The Honourable Herb Gray for
her contribution to the Canada 2000 Millennium Project, 1,700 groups
participated and five groups, one of which being Sandrine's Gift, were
chosen to be portrayed in a video produced for the Canadian National
Archives demonstrating the true Canadian spirit in year 2000.
December 8th, 2003, Diane was presented with the Meritorious Service
Medal presented by The Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson.
In January 2005, Diane was appointed to Trillium Gift of Life
Network by Premier Doulton McGuinty.
Business:
Diane Craig has dedicated her career to the development and enhancement
of the professional image of individuals and organizations.
She is a graduate of the Protocol School of Washington, and holds a
Certificate in Intercultural Studies from the University of British
Columbia. Ms. Craig provides the most expert training and
consultation available in national and international business protocol.
Ms. Craig is an alumna of L’Académie des Hauts
Couturiers Canadiens, and was an instructor at the Richard Robinson
School of Fashion Design in Ottawa. Her extensive training in
fashion, combined with several years of experience working with
professionals and politicians, has earned her a top spot as an image
consultant.
Her views are often quoted in the daily press such as The Globe and
Mail and The National Post. Ms. Craig has appeared on
programs such as The National on CBC and Canada AM on CTV.
The daily sounds of a 5-year-old fervently practicing
piano—without being bribed or threatened—showed
everyone he was different, long before he reached his Level 8 Royal
Conservatory grade by the age of 11.
Ken Craig’s next push wasn’t level at
all—he was determined to fly on skis. By age 13, his passion
for ski jumping soon took him to the elite Lake Placid NY Olympic
training site.
A year later he joined the Canadian National Ski Jumping team, competed
in world cups, and won the Canadian Nationals.
Out in Alberta, his next move was to trade in skis to push forward both
schooling and his own after hours work. When he was 12 years
old, his dad died but he picked himself up and still was able to plug
away at his nascent Olympic ambitons.
But a second family death, a terrible tragedy, brought Ken Craig back
to Ottawa. His younger sister Sandrine, at the tender age of 11 was
killed in a school bus accident. Yet again, Ken found the strength to
move on.
With brief exposure to the 9 to 5 world, Ken accidentally fell into the
sales and marketing arena, where pay was based on
performance—not stultifying hours.
With tools learned both from his past sport experience and his new
training he took off like the expert jumper he was, and broke the
Canadian “fast start record” for a multimillion
dollar organization. Ken rapidly moved into management at the
age of 19, owning and operating his own locations.
Ken Craig now excels in his college business degree course, owns two
thriving businesses and is dedicated to teaching others how to achieve
their potential and desired lifestyle through Network Oxygen.
He is also the Canadian President of www.pathconnect.com
Frank Markel, PhD is the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Trillium Gift of Life Network, Ontario's organ procurement
organization, a position he assumed in January 2005.
Dr. Markel served as the Executive Director of the Ontario Joint Policy
and Planning Committee (JPPC) from 1998 to 2004. His accomplishments
there include development of the Integrated Population Based Allocation
Methodology (IPBA) for funding hospitals in Ontario, now used by the
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, and development of a proposed
Accountability Agreement model for use between hospitals and government.
In his time at the JPPC, Dr. Markel also served as Principal Researcher
for the Financial Quadrant of Hospital Report, a balanced scorecard for
hospitals developed by a collaborative group led by the University of
Toronto.
In the past Dr. Markel has contributed his leadership and counsel as
Chair of the JPPC Adjustment Factors Working Group from 1994 - 1996.
His work was instrumental in developing the Adjustment Factors Model,
which has been the cornerstone of the JPPC's funding projects to date.
Prior to his appointment at the JPPC, Dr. Markel held the position of
Executive Vice President of the Rehabilitation Institute of Toronto. In
addition, Dr. Markel has held a number of senior positions in health
administration, including President and CEO of Hillcrest Hospital,
where he played a lead role in its merger with the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital to form the Rehabilitation Institute of Toronto.
From 1987 to 1993 Dr. Markel held the position of Vice President,
Planning and Development at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto.
Dr. Markel also served as the Executive Director of the Ontario Council
of Teaching Hospitals from 1984 to 1987. As well, he has been an
Associate Professor in the Department of Health Policy, Management and
Evaluation (HPME) at the University of Toronto since 1987, and most
recently taught courses in both Accounting and Finance to students in
the Health Administration course.
ANNA
FOGLIA
Anna received Sandrine Craig’s heart and lungs. She had
suffered heart problems since birth, and Anna now reports she can
exercise, travel, and ‘enjoy life for the first time
ever.’ She met Kenny Craig for the first time on the Listen
Up TV studio set.
STU
PETROPOULUS
My name is Stuart Petropoulos and I have an autoimmune disease that
affects my liver. The name of this disease is Primary Sclerosing
Cholangitis (PSC). I am now at the stage where I require a liver
transplant.
I was diagnosed with a liver disease (Autoimmune Chronic Hepatitis)
when I was 17 and was told that the progression of the disease would
result in the need for a liver transplant. I was told
that my time frame could be 10-15 years. I was young and was
told I was fortunate to have had this condition detected
because the liver can take all sorts of abuse and sustain damage, but
you only feel a problem when the liver is failing. At that
point it could be too late. I was monitored by a liver
specialist and my health remained stable (relatively).
My health took a turn for the worse in the year of
2000. I was then referred on to a Heptologist who was
the the doctor that would see me through to the time
of needing a transplant and who informed me that my disease had
"graduated" to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis with Ulcerative Colitis.
Though I had avoided heavy lifting, contact sports and alcohol
as instructed by my doctors since I was first diagnosed, my
liver developed cirrhosis and as this progressed my liver over
time would start to fail. The doctors projection of my health
timeline had been right on, a gradual decline in the health of my liver
resulting in the need for a liver transplant.
In 2004 I was placed on the liver transplant waiting
list. I had reached a point where I was always
exhausted, I had a harder time recovering from any infection and my
memory and concentration were starting to be affected. I was placed on
the waiting list two years ago, with the hope that I would be
transplanted within those two years. I now realize that I could very
well be waiting for another two years. The one factor that would move
me to the top of the list faster is the further decline of my health.
There is simply not enough livers being donated to transplant all who
are in need, therefore only the people who are the sickest get
the livers that are available. This is ,of course, who should be
receiving help first. However, the fact that there are only
enough livers available to help those that are on the very
edge of life and death (sometimes not even then) means that in order to
get a liver you have to be so sick that you yourself
are on that edge of life and death.
This why more people need to sign their Organ Donor card AND
discuss their wishes with their family. With more livers being
donated, people do not have to wait to be gravely ill in order to be
transplanted and regain their health. There is another avenue that my
family is exploring, and that is Living Organ Donation, in my case it
is Living Liver Donation. This is where someone who is healthy and of
the same blood group can actually donate two thirds of their liver and
that portion can be transplanted into someone who needs a new
liver. The liver is the only organ that regenerates itself and because
of this the donor's liver will grow back to normal size and function
within weeks and the donated portion will grow to full size
and function in the recipient. This has many
benefits, the most important is that the
recipient can be transplanted while still in relatively good
health which will result in a better, faster recovery.
Also, this frees up a space on the waiting list for someone
who doesn't have living donation as an option,
so their chances of receiving are increased because
the list has been shortened.
There are many people who need organs please consider how you
may play a part in helping others. Thank you.
DR.
AMIT GARG
Dr. Garg is a Nephrologist at the London Health Sciences Centre, Kidney
Clinical Research Unit. He is a contributing author to the article
‘The direct and indirect economic costs incurred by living
kidney donors – a systematic review.’ The article
states ‘Despite that many benefits of living donor
kidney transplantation, economic consequences can result for donors.
While expenditures for medical evaluation, surgery, and hospital care
are generally covered through public or private insurance, donors are
often responsible for other costs associated with the donation
process.’ Dr. Amit’s work shows that Living Donors
have to deal with Direct costs : travel, accommodation and medical and
the Indirect costs: lost income and lost home productivity.
Trillium Gift of Life Network was created in December 2000 by the
Ontario Government and assumed the role of Ontario's central organ and
tissue donation agency with the challenge to significantly increase
organ and tissue donation across the province and improve related
processes and functions. As outlined by the Trillium Gift of Life
Network Act, the Network's mandate includes:
- Plan, promote, coordinate and support activities relating
to the donation of organs and tissue for transplant.
- Coordinate and support the work of designated facilities in
connection with organ and tissue donation and transplant.
- Manage the procurement, distribution and delivery of organs
and tissue. - Establish and manage waiting lists for organ and tissue
transplants and establish and manage a system of fair allocation.
- Undertake to ensure that patients and their families have
appropriate information and opportunities to consider whether to
consent to the donation of organs and tissue and facilitate the
provision of that information.
- Provide education to the public and to the health care
community about organ and tissue donation and facilitate the provision
of such education by others
Mission
To enable every Ontario resident to make an informed decision to donate
organs and tissue, and to support healthcare professionals in
implementing their wishes
To maximize organ and tissue donation in Ontario in a respectful and
equitable manner through education, research, services and support.
Vision
To be a world-class leader that enhances and saves lives through organ
and tissue donation for transplantation.
Values
We are an effective, innovative leader in organ and tissue donation. We
work in an environment of honesty, trust, respect, compassion and
cooperation.
Organ and Tissue Donation:
Organ and tissue donation for transplantation is a critical component
of our healthcare system. Not only does organ and tissue donation
improve the lives of thousands of people each year, it saves lives. It
also provides families the opportunity to honour a loved one's wish to
donate.
Why Donate?
- Everyone is a potential organ and tissue donor, regardless
of their age. To date, the oldest Canadian organ donor was over 90
years of age while the oldest tissue donor was 102 years old.
- Ultimately the ability to become an organ and tissue donor
depends on several factors including the health of the organs and
tissue at the time of death.
- Recovery of organs and tissue is carried out with respect
and dignity. It does not interfere with funeral practices and no one
will know about your gift of life unless your family tells them.
- Organs and tissue that can be donated after death include
the heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, small bowel, stomach,
corneas, heart valves, bone and skin.
- Studies show that donating the organs and tissue of a loved
one who has died can provide immediate comfort and long-lasting
consolation to family members in their grieving.
1)Your Donor card
How do I get a Donor Card?
- Click on the donor card link
- Or proceed to our online order form in the Resources
section
- Or contact us at info@giftoflife.on.ca
- Or call us at 1-800-263-2833
Using your Donor Card
- Sign your donor card and carry it with you.
- Talk to your loved ones about your decision and give them
your signed donor notification card so they can understand, support and
respect your wishes in the future. It is important they know about your
intentions as they will be asked to give final consent to your
organ/tissue donation in the event of your death.
Show your Support
- Wear a green ribbon
- Show family and friends your signed donor card
- Share your knowledge about organ and tissue donation with
others
2) Talk to Your Family
Even if you have signed a donor card or are registered as a donor,
doctors will still ask your family before recovering organs or tissue.
You may find the topic of organ and tissue donation an uncomfortable
one to think about, let alone make a firm decision about. But keep in
mind that when someone suddenly passes away, the family is often faced
with this difficult decision at the worst of times. Things can be made
a little easier if the family is aware of the wishes of the organ and
tissue donor. Knowing that their loved one's final wishes were carried
out, and helped to save lives in the process, can be a great source of
solace.
Here are some tips on discussing this important decision with your
family:
- Prepare for your conversation. Make your personal decision
about donation. Think about possible questions, and seek answers.
- Talk about it where it feels natural. Where does your
family feel most comfortable discussing sensitive issues? In the family
room, the car, on a walk?
- Have the discussion with everyone who may need to know. Who
would be called to your bedside if you were about to die? These are the
people who will be asked for permission to proceed with donation. Talk
to them about your decision and listen openly to their concerns.
Explain why their support is important.
- Take the time to find out what each person in your family
would want you to say in the event that you were asked for permission
to donate their organs or tissues.
By talking it over with your family you will make it easier for your
loved ones to consent to organ and tissue donation on your behalf. As
many donor families will attest, the donation of a loved one's organs
helped them find comfort in a tragic situation
3) Register
If you are 16 years of age or over, you can also register your consent
to donate your organs and tissue. The following link will take you to
the Government of Ontario Organ and Tissue Donation web page where you
can register with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. There you
can complete an Organ and Tissue Donor Registration form (3750-84) and
submit it to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Registration
will result in your wishes being linked to your OHIP number in the
ministry's centralized data bank.
Additional Information
To inquire about whole body donation, please call the Anatomy School of
your choice or the Office of the Chief Coroner at 1-877-991-9959.
LIVING DONATION
Living donation occurs when a living person donates an organ or part of
an organ for transplant to another person in need.
It is one of the most important sources of organs for transplantation,
accounting for 210 transplants in Ontario in 2004, and a significant
portion of the increase in organ donation over the last ten years.
However, the availability of organs from living donors does not meet
the crucial need of the more than 1800 Ontarians on transplant waiting
lists.
Living donors are most often family members or close friends of the
recipient. Living anonymous donation, where the identities of donors
and recipients remain concealed from one another, is being studied in
British Columbia and may be considered at Ontario transplant programs
in the future.
Key Facts about Living Donation:
- The first successful living donor transplant was a kidney
transplant performed in Boston in 1954 between 23-year-old identical
twins.
- The most common living donation is kidney. 171 Ontario
residents received a living kidney ansplant in 2004, while 39 received
a living liver transplant.
- Living kidney donation is the most successful of all
transplant procedures and long-term transplant survival rates are
higher than for recipients who receive an organ from a deceased donor.
- Advances in transplant medicine have made it possible to
transplant a part of the liver (lobe), lung (lobe), small bowel and
pancreas in a living donation. Other types of living donation are under
investigation in this rapidly evolving field.
Living donation has many advantages:
- Potential to reduce waiting times for transplant to a
matter of months rather than possibly years for deceased donation,
contributing to better health after transplant surgery.
- Typically, the organ donated by a living donor is healthier
at the time of the operation, leading to a better-functioning organ
after transplantation, and longer graft survival.
- Sense of satisfaction for the donor who has helped to save
or improve the life of
another.
To the nurses, doctors and staff, I would personally like to thank all
of you for your help and support before, during and after my
transplant." - UHN Patient
Organ transplants are a life-saving treatment for patients with organ
failure involving the heart, liver, lung, kidney or pancreas. Tissue
transplants are used to repair damage due to defects, burns or trauma.
The transplantation procedure involves the use of donor organs or
tissue to replace or repair diseased or damaged organs and tissue. In
some cases, part of an organ or tissue (i.e. liver, kidney or lung) can
be transferred from a living donor to a recipient. All transplant
operations are made possible through the generous act of organ and
tissue donation.
Patients often wait several months for a transplant operation because
there are more patients who need transplants than there are organ and
tissue donors. In Canada, almost 4,000 patients are waiting for organ
transplants and about 800 of these patients are in Toronto.
UHN's Transplantation Program
Our internationally renowned Multi Organ Transplant Program serves
Toronto, as well as Ontario, Canada and the international community. A
talented team of physicians, surgeons, nurses and other allied health
professionals makes UHN a leader in transplantation worldwide. With
specialists in clinical care, diagnosis, research and support services,
our high standard of care rivals any other.
Establishing lifelong partnerships with patients
At the heart of the Transplantation program's commitment to excellence
is our dedication to the lifelong patient-team relationship. It begins
with helping patients manage while they wait for transplantation. It
continues as we support them through the transplant procedure and
follow their progress with long-term drug therapy. At every stage,
patients are the centre of the transplant team. Through education and
information, we support patients and their families in making informed
decisions about their health care.
“With innovation and the highest clinical and academic
quality for patient care in mind, the transplantation program performs
approximately 250 transplants annually, provides follow-up care to over
2500 transplant recipients, and serves as a model for many other
transplant centres around the world.” - Dr. Gary Levy,
Medical Director, Transplantation
CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS
PERSPECTIVES ON DONATION
(from the Trillium Gift of Life website)
Culture and religion play a significant role in end-of-life
experiences, including how people respond to illness, how grief is
demonstrated, what rituals are important at death and which members of
the family are present.
Most religious groups endorse organ donation and/or respect the
individual's choice. Beliefs about tissue donation vary as some groups
may consider tissue donation life enhancing, and distinguish it from
organ donation which is more often life saving.
Hinduism
- No prohibition from donating organs and tissues
- Matter of individual choice
Buddhism
- No official position on organ donation
- Matter of individual choice, and of the attitude of each
school or tradition of Buddhism, as tied to the concept of "rebirth"
and when it occurs. The Southern tradition permits autopsies and
organ/tissue transplants, in the belief that rebirth occurs immediately
upon death. The Northern tradition believes that there is an
intermediate state between "incarnations", and avoids movement or
touching of the body for eight (8) hours
Sikhism
- Support a positive stance on organ and tissue donation.
- Sikh philosophy and teaching places great emphasis on the importance
of
selfless service to others, and the performance of "noble deeds:" "the
physical body is a temporary abode of a person's soul, and it is the
soul that is one's real essence"
Shinto
- Either clearly oppose or are extremely cautious regarding
organ and tissue donation; families are concerned that they do not
injure the "itai": the relationship between the dead person and the
bereaved family
Confucianism
- Prohibited from damaging body as a whole
- Traditionally against organ donation, but brain death was
formally recognized in Korea in 2000 for the purposes of organ donation
Taoism
- No objections to use of part of body after death
Judaism
- All four branches of Judaism support and encourage organ
and tissue donation
General principle "saving of a human life takes precedence
over all other laws," including the delay in burial
- Organ and tissue donation is encouraged not only "for
humanity's sake," but also "for God's sake, as a supreme expression of
Godliness, of true, ultimate sharing: a religious act par excellence"
Islam
- Strongly believes in the principal of saving human life
- Permit organ transplant as a priority in saving human lives
- as long as the human body is respected and treated with dignity, and
the sanctity and protection of human life are paramount; a person must
give freely and without undue pressure, for the purposes of saving
another life or to enable another person to perform a missing and
essential function
Baptist
- Matter of individual choice
Episcopal
- Encourage donation
Greek
Orthodox
- Support donation
Lutheran
- Encourage donation
Jehovah's
Witness
- Matter of individual choice
- All blood must be removed from organs prior to transplant
Presbyterian
- Encourage and promote donation
Catholicism
- Encourage donation as an act of charity, and as a decision
that belongs to each individual and must be made without undue pressure
- Ethical considerations must be taken into account (e.g. no
commercialization of human organs, the need for informed consent), and
"the removal of vital organs" must not take place "until natural death
has occurred and been ascertained"
Seventh
Day Adventist
- Strongly encourage donation and transplantation
Protestantism
- Respects individual's choice
Romas
- As a whole against donation
Mormon
- Decision is a personal one
Amish
- Consent to donation when it benefits the health and welfare
of the transplant recipient
- Reluctant to donate if transplant unlikely to succeed or if
organs will be used for research
Church
of Christ Science
- Respects individual's choice
If your religion states that it restricts the use of the body after
death, you should consult your religious leader.
Organ & Tissue as End-Of-Life Option, 2002
Gillman, 1999
Health Canada, 2000
What we learned on today's program is something that comes up in many
stories that seem to be the worst of circumstances - that God comes
near the desperate. God comes near the broken hearted, quite literally.
More thoughts on the spiritual perspective that comes in to play on
organ donation and end of life issues.
Myth
no. 1: I made my decision. I signed my card so it’s all set.
Fact: Your family can overrule your decision to be a donor, even if you
have signed your organ donor card. Half of the families who are
approached refuse consent for donation (most are not aware of the
donor’s wishes), wasting the precious gift of life in the
process.
Myth
no. 2: I must be too old to donate organs and tissues.
Fact: You’re never too old. The oldest organ donor in Canada
was 90 years old and the oldest tissue donor was an incredible 102
years old! The liver from a 70-year-old helped a 10-year-old boy feel
well enough to play baseball again. Among seniors, the need for organ
transplants is growing with our aging population. The number of kidney
patients on dialysis has doubled since 1981. Forty-eight percent of
patients with the most severe form of kidney failure are over 65. At
the same time, Canada’s organ donor rate —already
amongst the lowest in the industrialized world — decreased by
5% in 1998.
Myth
no. 3: I can’t donate because my religion wouldn’t
permit it.
Fact: Many people, especially seniors, mistakenly believe that their
religion will not allow organ donation. In fact, all but the Shinto
religion encourage organ donation as an act of love and charity.
Myth
no. 4: I don’t want my loved one to be an organ donor because
I’ve heard stories that brain dead people can actually wake
up or that they may feel pain.
Fact: It is impossible to recover from brain death. Brain death is not
the same as a coma. Death can occur in two ways: 1) when the heart and
lungs stop functioning and 2) when the brain stops functioning. When a
patient is brain dead, heart and lung function can be maintained only
with the aid of artificial life support.
Myth
no. 5: If I sign a donor card, maybe I won’t be given proper
medical care in an emergency situation.
Fact: It is illegal to deny medical care and doctors don’t
look for organ donor cards when providing emergency assistance
Myth
no. 6: I have a disease so I must not be able to donate organs and
tissues.
Fact: Even those with illnesses may donate something to help save or
improve lives. For example, cancer patients could still donate corneas,
depending on the type of cancer.
Myth
no. 7: With all the medical advances, they must be able to save lives
other ways so my organs wouldn’t make a big difference.
Fact: The need for organ donation is growing with our aging population.
For instance, 48% of the patients with the most severe form of kidney
disease are over 65. At the same time, the number of donated organs is
decreasing.
Myth
no. 8: My family will get a bill because provincial health coverage
stops when I die.
Fact: Health coverage includes organ donation so there is no burden for
the family. Transplants actually save our health system millions in
medical care. If every dialysis patient got a kidney transplant, the
health care system of Canada would enjoy net savings of $240 million
dollars every year.
Myth
no. 9: They’ll give my organs to medical science and my
family will never be able to have a proper funeral.
Fact: Your signed organ donor card authorizes only organ retrieval
unless otherwise stated. The entire process takes approximately 24
hours, and then the body is released to the family for funeral
arrangements. Incisions from the surgery are carefully sewn up so that
at an open-casket funeral no one can tell that organ donation has taken
place.
Myth
no. 10: Canada is one of the best places to live and we’re
known as very generous people so there must not be a big problem in our
country.
Fact: Canada’s organ donor rate is one of the lowest in the
industrialized world at nearly 14 donors per million, a decrease of 5%
in 1998, the latest year in which statistics are available.
Spain’s is 30+ per million. U.S. is 21+. You can make a
difference . . . More than 3,500 people are now on the transplant
waiting list. More than 150 on the waiting list die every year before
an organ becomes available. Nearly 90% of Canadians say they are in
favor of organ donation, but only 38% sign an organ donor card. So
please talk to your family. Someone’s life depends on it.
Corneas, heart valves, bones, skin, tendons and ligaments.
Am I
too old to be an organ donor?
No! General health is more important than age. There have been cases
where a 90-year-old liver was donated, and a 102-year-old donated
corneas.
If I
have a medical illness or condition can I still donate?
Medical illness does not always preclude someone from becoming a donor.
Every potential donor is thoroughly assessed by a medical team to
determine what organs can be used for transplant. It is possible, for
instance that a cancer patient could still donate corneas, as long as
the cancer is not one of the eye, circulatory or lymphatic system. Or a
hepatitis patient might be able to donate an organ to another hepatitis
patient.
Can
everyone become an organ donor when they die?
No. Only patients who have been declared brain dead and are on life
support in a hospital as a result of severe head trauma or a stroke can
become organ donors. The supply of oxygen and bodily fluids must be
constantly maintained to support the vitality of the organs. But other
patients, even those who die outside of hospital, can be a tissue
donor. Corneas and other tissues such as skin, ligaments, heart valves
or bone can all be donated within 24 hours.
I don’t want my loved one to be an organ donor because I have
heard stories that brain dead people can actually wake up.
It is impossible to recover from brain death. Brain death is not the
same as a coma. Death can occur in two ways: 1) when the heart and
lungs stop functioning, and 2) when the brain stops functioning. Brain
death only occurs in 1% to 3% of all deaths. Death certificates are
dated and signed when brain death is declared. Brain death occurs when
a person has an irreversible, catastrophic brain injury which causes
all brain activity to stop permanently. In such cases, heart and lung
function can be maintained with the aid of artificial life support.
Brain death is an accepted medical, ethical, and legal principle. Organ
donation can only take place after brain death occurs. However, tissue,
including cornea donation, can take place from someone whose heart has
stopped.
What
are the criteria for brain death?
The criteria for declaring a patient brain dead are very strict and
include no brain function and lack of eye and gag reflexes, lack of
facial or tongue movement. The patient is completely unresponsive to
external visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli and is incapable of
communication in any manner. Other causes of unresponsiveness
(hypothermia, drug intoxication, neuromuscular blockade or shock, for
instance) have also been ruled out.
I
don’t want my loved one to feel any pain, or to be
disfigured.
Patients who are brain dead don’t feel any pain because the
brain doesn’t register any sensation. The heart and lungs of
brain dead patients are functioning only because of machines, not
because the brain is sending out signals to the body.
What
happens if our family agrees to donate the organs of our loved one?
The family has the opportunity to say their farewells. The organ
procurement team evaluates the patient as a donor and blood samples are
taken for the matching process. When recipients are located,
organs/tissues are removed by a team of surgeons and a specialist
trained in organ recovery. This surgery is performed in an operating
room with the same respect and dignity as if the patient were alive.
After organs have been removed incisions are carefully sewn up so that
there is no sign that organ donation has taken place. The organ
donation process takes approximately 24 hours. The body is then
prepared for the funeral home and released back to the family. Donation
of organs/tissues should not cause a delay of funeral arrangements.
What
happens if we refuse consent for donation?
Respiratory support equipment is removed and your loved one's heart
stops beating. The body is sent to the funeral home of your choice. If
an autopsy is to be performed, it is done before the body is sent to
the funeral home.
Would
we be told what organs and tissues were used and to whom they were
given?
Our local procurement agency sends out a letter to the donor family
telling what organs were used, the age and perhaps a little about the
person receiving them. Often recipients will write letters of thanks to
the donor families. Names are kept confidential and are not given to
the donor or recipient families.
You can make a difference . . . More than 3,500 people are now on the
transplant waiting list. More than 150 on the waiting list die every
year before an organ becomes available. Nearly 90% of Canadians say
they are in favor of organ donation, but only 38% sign an organ donor
card.
Listen Up with Lorna Dueck is available ON-LINE in a variety of ways.
Click here to find out more!
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Read Lorna's Globe & Mail columns by searching
our archive.
Read 'Media & The Message'. Lorna says if the church wants to impact society, we need to share our stories.
On April 30, 2005 Lorna was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries from Canada's largest Christian university, Trinity Western University. Lorna was recognized for the witness and leadership that Listen Up TV has provided in public messaging: "a leader in the voice of evangelical life in Canada."
