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| Q. |
Can
anyone sign a donor card? |
| A. |
Everyone
should consider himself or herself a potential organ donor, regardless of
age or medical history. Individuals under the age of 18 may sign a donor
card with the consent of their parent or guardian. |
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|
| Q. |
What
do I do with the card? |
| A. |
Keep the
card in your wallet, perhaps with your driver's license. |
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|
| Q. |
Can
my family refuse permission for organ and tissue donation even though I
have signed a donor card? |
| A. |
Yes, but
the family usually gives permission if the deceased had expressed a wish
to be an organ donor or had signed an organ donor card. |
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|
| Q. |
Can
I change my mind? |
| A. |
Yes. All
you need to do is inform your family of your wishes and tear up your organ
donor card. If you signed the back of your driver's license, strike through
the entire donor card portion. |
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|
| Q. |
Will
my family be charged for donation of my organs? |
| A. |
The family
is never charged for cost associated with organ donation. All costs associated
with organ and tissue recovery are handled by the organ procurement organization. |
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|
| Q. |
Can
I have a traditional funeral? |
| A. |
The removal
of organs and tissue does not interfere with customary burial arrangements.
Organ removal is carried out as a regular surgical procedure. Funeral arrangements
remain the responsibility of the donor's family. |
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|
| Q. |
If I
decide to become an organ donor, will that affect the level of my medical
care? |
| A. |
Absolutely
not. Organ recovery takes place only after every effort has been made to
save the patients life. |
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|
| Q. |
What
organs and tissues can be donated? |
| A. |
Kidneys,
hearts, livers, lungs, pancreases, and intestines may be donated, as well
as eyes, skin, heart valves, bone marrow and bone. In certain circumstances,
a kidney, bone marrow, or a portion of a lung or liver may be received from
a "living" donor, generally from a close family member. |
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|
| Q. |
Who
will receive my donated organs? |
| A. |
Potential
recipients are identified using UNOS national computer system. The computer
generates a list of patients ranked according to strict medical criteria,
urgency of need, and time waiting. Donor and recipient identity is confidential,
although some basic information may be shared. |
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|
| Q. |
Who
do I contact to obtain an Organ Donor Card? |
| A. |
Write to UNOS, P.O.
Box 13770, Dept. DB, Richmond, VA 23225
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