age and organ donation
Transplant Recipients Over Age 50. 1  Two thirds of the individuals waiting for an organ transplant in 2012 were 50 years old or older, and other statistics and facts for people over 50, from the Health Resources and Services Administration. There are many resources for older organ donors and recipients available from the U.S. government. Read more about how the National Institutes of Health is working with a team of federal agencies to encourage older adults to register as organ donors. 1 Learn more about the transplant process and the only national waiting list for an organ, from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network at the Health Resources and Services Administration. 2  The list is national, though some organs are offered first to potential recipients within the donor’s region. 1 Any Age Is the Right Age, free print and web materials to encourage older people to donate, from the Health Resources and Services Administration. 2  More resources for organ donation, from the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Advanced Search. Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). Transplantation is necessary because the recipient’s organ has failed or has been damaged by disease or injury. Unfortunately, the need for organ donors is much greater than the number of people who actually donate. Every day in the United States 18 people die waiting for an organ and more than 117,000 men, women, and children await life-saving organ transplants. I am too old to be a donor. Truth: There is no set age limit for organ and tissue donation. At the time of death, trained medical professionals will evaluate patients on a case-by-case basis to determine which organs and tissues are suitable for donation. Therefore, people of any age wishing to become organ and tissue donors should indicate it on their driver’s license and inform their family of their wishes. Busting Myths About Organ Donation. For years, myths and misconceptions have prevented people from signing up as donors. Read about some of the common myths and urban legends below. If I'm in an accident and the hospital knows that I am designated as a donor, the doctors won't try to save my life. People of all ages should consider themselves potential donors. When an individual dies, they are evaluated for donor suitability given their current and past medical history as well as their age. The Organ Procurement Agency determines medical suitability for donation. 1 Two thirds of the individuals waiting for an organ transplant in 2012 were 50 years old or older, and other statistics and facts for people over 50, from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
People of all ages should consider themselves potential donors.