A Heart For Another ~ By Cara Haley

                                A Heart For Another ~ By Cara Haley

      There are things in life that seem to never be enough and the solutions may seem beyond possible. Cures can't be found and hopes are lost in despair. With a thriving medical demand, there is a necessity for commitment from the community. One of the many exigency is donor donation. It is a vast need in life and sometimes things can't always be made. But a humble heart can give a sacrifice to save another when they move on away from life. Truly, it is an astounding thing when one is given a second chance at life. 

    We might not be able to heroically save someone, but donors do. One donor alone can save as many as eight lives and improve up to fifty recipients through body tissue and eye donation. There are over 120,000 individuals who are currently waiting for an organ donation. Every thirteen minutes, a new person is added to the national transplant waiting list. And sorrowfully, as many as eighteen people die everyday waiting. Each year, thousands die over this so simple need. It is that an estimate of 12,000 die each year that meet the criteria for organ donation, but no more than a third choose to become donors. Last year alone though, organ donors made over 28,000 transplants possible. Another hundred thousand patients were able to receive cornea and other critical tissue transplants that helps aid the recovery from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss. With this, one can have faith in humanity and see concerned souls making declaration for a difference. 

    It is a privilege to have the marvelous ability to help another to such an extent. This incredible opportunity comes with the decision  to be or not be a giver of life. Why one chooses to be a donor is because they have come to see the vast importance and need of this serious matter. Seven out of every ten humans are capable to be organ donors for their health is well balanced. Many fail to understand and instead, underestimates the value of a single donation can make. But with all faults in the world, we aren't fortunate in the blessing of having a perfect flourishing health. Some simply can't donate due to certain illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease. This alone is a tragedy. In this terrible spawning rock, there are fears and these prevent the weak minded of thinking about the end that death brings. They simply think time runs forever for them and this is their falling. Their lack of courage is why there is inefficiency. While there are the frolicking, there are those who are indifferent to destroying a body's integrity after death. But donating organs and tissues do not prevent an open casket burial. Like any qualified internal surgery, all is tidy up in cleanliness and is unnoticeable. The main concern for this is due to religious reasons. However, many major religions, with the exception of Shinto and Gypsies, support organ donation. Christianity, Catholicism, and Judaism actually promote organ donation as a virtuously charitable act. While some try to reason, others absolutely do not trust this system of donating. They fret that they would be killed for their organs. Nevertheless, the medical profession is professional and no certified doctor under the Hippocratic Oath is ever legible to steal a life. All hospitals are authorized by law to have a "Required Referral" system in place. Under this system, the hospital  must notify the local Organ Procurement Organization of all its patients deaths. If the hospital fail to do so or they cut someone who is still is functioning, the punishment in degrees is severe. All attempts are made to save a life, whether donor or not, and it is only when a person is brain dead then the organs are harvested. Just to clarify, there is one major context that separates brain dead from comatose. A coma is when an individual is prolonged in an unconscious state and just can't respond. They have a lower brain activity, but it is not zero. Brain dead is when there is zero activity in the brain and the individual has permanent dire damage where they can only "live" in ventilation and other supportive mechanism, for without it, they will die. It is advised to have a neurologist to examine the brain waves for extra precaution before any major decisions are to made. No matter though, the value of life is a delicate thing and we often are ignorant to the influence we hold. 

    To register as a donor, there aren't too many steps to follow. One can easily register under their state donor registry. It also can be designated on your driver's license. No matter the way, it is a smooth process where one leaves with the knowing that they will be saving lives. One can donate at any age- anywhere between newborn to sixty-five years old. Age do matter in organ donating. Statistically, cells from younger donors produces the most successful 

transplants. The younger cells tend to have the highest quality and quantity. More and more, compared to the past, doctors are using matched unrelated donors even when an older matched relative is available. Donor banks do have an age limit, but for a direct donor like a relative, it depends. Medical advisors has to thoroughly examine an older patient extensively for there can be unknown health conditions. The only sensitive thing about being a donor is that you can't choose who you will donate to. And if you would be offended by helping someone who's faith, political viewpoint  or temperament differs from your own, this selfless action isn't for you. 

     An organ donation is not the only type of giving you can grant. There are many other types of donations you are able to give while you live. A kidney, part of a lung, intestine, pancreas, and even one of the two lobes of a liver can be given to someone of much need. Diseases, such as leukemia, can be prevented by bone marrow and that takes the healing process of about a week to three. A simple taking of blood is as valuable as other donations. There are so many ways that our bodies can be used for the better. Heart, valves, bones, skin, corneas and connective tissue can be used in vital medical procedures such as heart valve replacement, limb reconstruction that follows tumor surgery, hip and knee joint reconstruction, and in correcting the structure of the spine. 46,000 sight restoring transplants are performed each year and ninety-five are successful in enabling the vision completely. It is amazing of what we have and can resolve. 

     Donating for medical reasons is one terrific way you can save a life and bring hope to others. There is no downing in this. One is not ever even billed for being a donor. When it comes to being a donor, you are the savior of sacrifices. So do it with the knowledge and privilege in saving a life, not the praise and gratification behind it.