Wednesday, October 16, 2013



Chapter 6: Frequently Ask Questions


Is there a difference between tissue and organ donation?

Organ donors must be brain dead which is defined as the irreversible end of all brain activity (including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life). While the patient is on life support, organs must be carefully matched to the waiting recipients. Matching of the organs are done base on blood type, medical status and size of the recipient. Tissue donation can occur patient who suffer from brain dead or suffered from cardiac death. Tissue recipients do not have to matched to their donors because rejection is not a concern.

What tissues can be donated?

Tissues that can be donated are bone, tendons, ligaments, heart valves, skin, veins, and cartilage.

Where are these tissues used?

  • Long bones maybe used to replace bones that have been by cancer. Smaller sections of bone are used to strengthen areas of a deformed spine or to fill areas where bones has been lost.
  • Skin can be life-saving for patients who have been critically burned.
  • Heart valves are use to replace damage heart valves.

Is there a cost to donate tissue?

There are no cost to donate tissue and to donate organ

Can I specify who receives my donation?

Yes, you are allow to make a donation to an individual. The organ must be a match for the person who is waiting for the transplant.

How do I get on the waiting list?

  • Receive a referral from your physician
  • Contact a transplant hospital
  • Schedule an appointment for evaluation
  • The hospital transplant team will decide weather you are a good transplant candidate
  • If you are determine a good transplant candidate, you will be added to the national waiting list

How are organs distributed?

Organs are distributed locally first and if there are no matched then then will look regionally, then nationally until every attempt in made to place donor organs.

Why should minorities be concerned about organ donation?

Some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas, and liver are found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations that in general population. 

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5 comments:

  1. These questions are great thanks for clarifying Jack

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  2. Jack, I wonder why tissue transplantations are free of rejections? Your explanation for organ distribution was quite insightful. I didn’t know there were zones in which the locals had priority over organs. It’s also interesting that you can choose who your organ goes to. I assumed that when you’re an organ donor, and you died, the destiny of your organs were decided by someone else. Great FAQ list overall. Thanks!

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  3. This is very interesting because it clarifies a lot of unknowns regarding the use of organs and the protocols used to determine if a person qualifies for transplant. Well done.

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  4. I didn't realize there was a difference in rejection between organ and tissue donation. Why wouldn't there be any problem with rejection?

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  5. you can donate bone? That's really cool at the same time kinda scary. If you have someone's bone in your body would you be able to produce red blood cells from that bone as well? or is that bone cleared of its marrow so it can't?

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