Organ Donation?

Question

If a one person donates all possible organs,tissue, etc. how many people can be helped?

Answer 1

I work at an organ and tissue recovery organization...that nurse doesn't know what she's talking about!

Up to 8 people's lives can be saved by organs (2 kidneys, 2 lungs, heart, liver, pancreas and small intestine).

Up to 50 people's lives can be improved with one single tissue donation (corneas, skin, bone, valves, veins). People who suffer from blindness, burns, damaged bones or serious back or knee injuries are among those who can he helped through tissue donation.

(Blood and bone marrow are currently only donated by people while they're alive.)

Benefits of Organ and Tissue Transplantation

Heart- Allows proper pumping of blood and oxygen through the body. Helps patients with cardiomyopathy, heart disease and cystic fibrosis.

Kidneys - Eliminates the need for dialysis by allowing the body to filter wastes and excess fluid from the body. Helps patients with end stage renal failure, diabetes and hypertension.

Liver - Allows the body to filter medications and toxins, metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Helps patients with end stage liver failure, cirrhosis, liver disease and metabolic diseases.

Lungs - Allow the body to intake oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the bloodstream. Help patients with cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, cystic fibrosis and hypertension.

Pancreas - Allows the body to secrete insulin to break down sugar in blood. Helps patients with diabetes.

Small Intestine - Helps patients with short gut syndrome.

Skin - Helps burn patients heal and resist infection.

Tendons - Allow people to move and walk without pain.

Veins - Improve circulation and prevents loss of limbs.

Bones - Can help avoid amputation of a limb.

Corneas - Restore sight to the blind or near blind.

Heart Valves - Only treatment for babies in need of a heart valve.

Answer 2

In certain cases like this one, where the recipient is literally located in the same hospital I see no reason why it cant be done? My brother received a bone marrow transplant, that was unsuccessful, back in 1995 and regardless, I really wish we could have known who the donor was... I think the connection, whether it is an organ or bone marrow or whatever, really affects and sticks with the families on both sides and it does give some closure in a sense. I do not agree though, that race or religion should play any part in choosing or denying. In this situation, if it gives the parents of Kaylee some peace, then why not allow them to make the choice at least they will find some comfort in that and give them some healthy *closure*. They are not chosing for any other reason than the little girl is right there in the same hospital and they can feel the pain anguish of Lillians parents. The time line is so narrow to deliver an organ as well, may as well let Lillian have a chance, she is right there waiting. If it were one of my own children in Kaylee's position, I would hope the world would not judge me for my decisions on organ donation, and perhaps show some compassion for their situation and the decision they are forced to make.

Answer 3

Since the list of parts that can be donated is probably more than you realize, and other factors are involved, how many can benefit will vary. For example, you can donate your corneas which means one person or two people can benefit...that goes for all organs or parts that come in pairs. Also, sometimes only a portion of an organ is used on one person so the rest can be used on another. The list of parts that can be donated include:
heart
lungs
pancreas
small bowel
hand
penis
bone marrow
blood vessels
heart valves
bone
kidneys
corneas
liver
skin
That is a minimum of 14 people who can be helped (if deceased is male) but the number can soar if each double organ goes to a different person and with skin, marrow, vessels, etc. being able to go to even more than two!