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What People Should Know About Organ and Tissue Donation in South Carolina |
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Information and links provided below was obtained from resources outside of Horry County Probate Court and are intended to complement services and information provided on our website. Horry County Probate Court does not imply, and should not be interpreted as endorsement, sanction, approval or authorization of these sites or their content. Horry County Probate Court makes no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied, concerning the content or accuracy of any material on any external website links. If you wish to be an organ and tissue donor, all you have to do is say yes to organ and tissue donation on your donor card and/or driver’s license and discuss your decision with your family. Nationally, about 63 people receive an organ transplant every day, but another 15 people on the waiting list die because not enough organs are available. In South Carolina alone, 77 people died in the past two years waiting for organs, and 709 people in South Carolina are currently on waiting lists for organ and tissue transplants. The problem is that people who sign donation cards will not be treated as donors (even though that is all that is legally required) unless their families consent. So, please advise your clients that if they want to be organ donors they have to tell their family members. Who can become a donor? All individuals can indicate their intent to donate (persons under 18 years of age must have parent’s or guardian’s consent). Medical suitability for donation is determined at the time of death. One individual organ donor can save or improve the quality of life for more than 50 people who suffer from organ failure, congenital defects, bone cancer, orthopedic injuries, burns or blindness. Are there age limits for donors? There are no age limitations on who can donate. The deciding factor on whether a person can donate is the person’s physical condition, not the person’s age. Newborns as well as senior citizens have been organ donors. Persons under 18 years of age must have parent’s or guardian’s consent. How do I express my wishes to become an organ and tissue donor?
Even if you sign a donor card it is ESSENTIAL THAT YOUR FAMILY KNOWS your wishes. Your family may be asked to sign a consent form in order for your donation to occur. If you wish to learn how organ donation preferences are documented and honored where you live, contact your local organ procurement organization (OPO). The OPO can advise you of specific local procedures, such as joining donor registries, that are available to residents in your area.. What can be donated?
No! Every effort is made to save your life before donation is considered. Will donation disfigure my body? Can there be an open casket funeral? Donation does not disfigure the body and does not interfere with having a funeral, including open casket services. Why should minorities be particularly concerned about organ donation? Some diseases of the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver are found more frequently in racial and ethnic minority populations than in the general population. Successful transplantation often is enhanced by the matching of organs between members of the same ethnic and racial group. Are there any costs to my family for donation? The donor’s family does NOT pay for the cost of the organ donation. All costs related to donation of organs and tissues are paid by the recipient, usually through insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Can I sell my organs? No! The National Organ Transplant Act (Public Law 98-507) makes it ILLEGAL to sell human organs and tissues. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment. Among the reasons for this rule is the concern of Congress that buying and selling of organs might lead to inequitable access to donor organs with the wealthy having an unfair advantage. How are organs distributed? Patients are matched to organs based on a number of factors including blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, time on the waiting list, and geographical location. How many people are currently waiting for each organ to become available so they can have a transplant? Click here for the most current data -> United Network for Organ Sharing. Can I be an organ and tissue donor and also donate my body to medical science? Total body donation is an option, but not if you choose to be an organ and tissue donor. If you wish to donate your entire body, you should directly contact the facility of your choice to make arrangements. Medical schools, research facilities and other agencies need to study bodies to gain greater understanding of disease mechanisms in humans. This research is vital to saving and improving lives. Where can I get additional information about organ and tissue donation?
For Local Information: South Carolina Organ Procurement Organizations Carolina Donor Services (Eastern, Central South Carolina) 3622 Lyckan Parkway, Suite 6002 Durham, NC 27707 Phone: (252) 757-0090 / (800) 200-2672 Web: http://www.carolinadonorservices.org LifePoint (South Carolina - excluding Aiken & Edgefield counties) 4200 Faber Place Drive Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: (843) 763-7755 / (800) 462-0755 Web: http://www.lifepoint-sc.org LifeShare of the Carolinas (Western South Carolina) P.O. Box 32861 Charlotte, NC 28262 Phone: (704) 548-6850 Web: http://www.lifesharecarolinas.org LifeNet (Currituck County) 5809 Ward Court Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Phone: (757) 464-4761 Web: http://www.lifenet.org | ||
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