How serious is the need for organ donors? The need for organs is continuing to grow at an alarming rate and is truly a public health crisis. There are currently more than 87,000 Americans waiting to receive lifesaving organ transplants, including more than 2,300 individuals in the Upper Midwest. Every 13 minutes, someone else’s name is added to the national waiting list and each day 17 people die who are waiting for a transplant.

How do I become an organ donor? Marking your intentions to become an organ donor on your driver’s license or state ID will ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. Also talk to your family about your decision. Although marking “yes” on your driver’s license is the legal expression of your wishes to become an organ donor, sharing the decision with family members is a good way to ensure they will support and honor those wishes.

What can be donated? Organs: Heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, livers and intestines. Tissue: Cornea, skin, bone marrow, heart valves and connective tissue.

Will my family have to pay for my organ donation? No. All of the expenses related to organ donation are assumed by LifeSource and passed on to the organ transplant recipients and their health insurers.

Do the rich or famous have a better chance at getting an organ transplant than someone who isn’t? No. Every person waiting for an organ transplant is registered with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). When a family gives permission for organ donation, UNOS runs a computerized list of potential recipients in order to find a match. Organs are fairly distributed based on factors such as medical urgency, compatible blood and tissue type, body size and the length of time on the waiting list.

Can I sell my organs? No. It is illegal to sell human organs and tissues. People who break this law are subject to fines and imprisonment. One of the reasons for this law is the concern that the buying and selling of organs would lead to unfair accessby the wealthiest people.

If I donate my organs, will my body be disfigured? Can I still have an open casket funeral?

Donation will not interfere with having a funeral, including an open casket service.

What if my driver’s license isn’t marked with a &uot;Yes”?

In the absence of known donor designation, LifeSource will seek authorization for donation from the next-of-kin. Therefore, it is important to share your wishes with your family as they can ensure those wishes are fulfilled.

Who can be a donor? Just about anybody. People of all ages (Individuals under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian consent) and medical conditions are eligible to donate. All people should consider themselves possible donors, even if they have doubts. A patient’s medical condition at the time of death determines what organs and tissues might be donated.

What are the benefits of organ donation? For the people who receive organs, a transplant is often a matter of life and death &045;

by receiving a new organ, people are given a new chance at living. One donor can save the lives of up to eight people, and can also help the lives of more than 40 others who suffer from vision problems, burns and bone defects.

Does my religion support organ donation? Most major religions support organ donation as a noble and compassionate act. The viewpoints of many religious organizations are available at www.organdonation.org.

If I am an organ donor, will the doctors work as hard to save my life as they would for people who aren’t organ donors? Absolutely. The first responsibility of medical professionals is to save lives.

Every effort will be made to save your life before donation is considered.

&045; From LifeSource, Upper Midwest Organ Procurement Organization Inc.