The total number of patients waiting for an organ transplant today numbers more than 106,000.
On average, eighteen people die everyday in the U.S. while awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant.
Another name is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes--50,331 in 2009.
In the TDS area (Tennessee and Virginia), about 5,000 people are on the waiting list, yet annually only approximately 450 people donate one or more organs upon death.
A total of 28,465 organ transplants were performed in the United States during 2009.
Yet in 2009, there were only 8,021 people who donated one or more organs upon death. There were another 6,611 living organ donors.
In 2009, 6,485 Americans - one person every 82 minutes - died while waiting for a transplant.
The refusal rate among families of potential donors nationwide is around 50 percent. However, a recent survey conducted by Donate Life America found 91% of respondents support donation. Yet, 29% have taken no action to indicate their wishes via their driver’s license, donor card, living will, or simply telling their family. Documenting one’s wishes about donation is important; however, sharing this decision with family members is just as important. While a potential donor’s next-of-kin cannot override an individual's legally documented donation designation, the family will be consulted before donation takes place. A discussion with family now will mean a life-affirming decision later.
Transplantation is no longer considered experimental. It is a desired treatment for thousands with end-stage organ disease. Each year, approximately 800,000 Americans receive tissue transplants and over 28,000 receive organ transplants.
In recent years, medical breakthroughs have greatly improved the success rate for transplantation... it now generally runs in excess of 80% for transplants overall.
Currently, only about 8,000 of the approximately 15,000 medically suitable potential donors actually donate each year. Only about one half of the donation potential is being realized.
Under ideal conditions, one person can donate as many as eight organs (heart, two lungs, liver, pancreas, two kidneys, and intestine). Since on average one person is able to donate three organs for transplantation, the current pool of potential donors could meet the needs of 45,000 people per year.
Also, to dispel some myths and misconceptions:
Becoming a donor will not affect the quality of your medical care... organ recovery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted, and doctors have declared you legally brain dead. The donor family pays none of the costs associated with donation. If you are a donor, you can have an open casket funeral.
Transplants are accessible and available to everyone. Celebrity status and wealth do not enter into the equation. Organs are allocated according to medical criteria (urgency of medical need, blood/tissue type, height and weight).
All major religions support donation and consider it a gift, an act of charity .
Literature packet: click here (the file is large and may take a few minutes to download)
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