One day last year I was talking to my teenage son Tommy about organ donation. I had just explained that to transplant a human heart the transplant surgeon must take it from a person with a beating heart. I vividly remember Tommy responding, “So?” This led to a more in-depth conversation. Fortunately, I was able to explain to Tommy how donation of vital organs works.
I was reminded of our conversation recently when I came across this article:
Man, 95, Becomes Oldest Organ Donor in United States | PEOPLE.com. 95-year-old Cecil F. Lockhart reportedly died on May 4. His liver was “recovered and donated” to a woman in her 60s. However, according to the Life Guardian Foundation, "After true death no organs can be transplanted... When organs are taken, all [allegedly dead] donors are living and not truly dead. Donors are paralyzed to keep them from moving and squirming when cut to take their organs. In some countries, such as England, and more recently in USA, donors are given an anesthetic to avoid pain.” [2] In Mr. Lockhart’s case, the surgeon who removed his liver, not God, ended his life.
Q: Which organs are transplanted?
A: Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and intestine are transplanted – all are vital organs. To be suitable for transplantation these organs must be healthy. When the heart, whole liver, pancreas and/or intestine is taken, the donor becomes truly dead. When a portion of the liver, a part of one lung, one of two lungs, or one of two kidneys is taken, there is risk of death of the donor and the donor will be weaker. [3]
Years earlier, Mr. Lockhart apparently had been inspired by his son Stanley, who, when he passed away, had donated tissues which, according to the article, improved 75 lives. Unlike vital organs, tissues – corneas, skin, bones, veins, heart valves and connective tissues – can be removed from a body after true death and used to heal and save lives.
Clearly, there is a vast difference between the donation of tissues and the donation of vital organs. In Stanley’s situation, the tissues and corneas could be removed after his death. This means Stanley was able to improve other lives without his own life being ended. On the other hand, the surgical removal of Mr. Lockhart’s liver resulted in his premature death.
Unfortunately, the article noted that in lieu of memorials, mourners were encouraged to sign up to be organ donors.
DANGER: Are You Listed as an Organ Donor on your Driver's License?
Every state maintains an Organ Donor Registry listing people who have agreed to be organ donors, either on a driver’s license application or by signing an organ donor card. These state registries are readily accessed by Organ Procurement Organizations (a.k.a. Organ Donor Networks). However, HALO is not aware of any state that maintains a registry for those who do not want to be organ donors. Therefore, it is up to you to protect yourself. Refuse to be an organ donor in writing. If you need an organ donation refusal card, simply email feedback@halovoice.org and we will send to you.
Donating your tissues after death is a beautiful gift to improve others’ lives. However, buying into the slogan “give the gift of life” by signing up to be an organ donor may result in you being robbed of organs while you still need them to live.
[1] Life Guardian Foundation � To Protect and Preserve Life
[2] Organ donation Question 4-14-17.pdf (lifeguardianfoundation.org)
[3] Ibid
