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Organ Donor Shortage

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Virtually anyone can become an organ donor. On average, approximately 30 people die everyday due to a shortage of available organ donors. “Statistics show that there are more than 114,895 Americans awaiting their organ transplants, while millions of people die each year without signing up as organ and tissue donors” (“Be an Organ Donor - Learn More on Organ Donation.”). Often times, drivers who perish in car accidents, and others who die suddenly who have not declared themselves to be organ donors will be buried with all of their viable, healthy organs. This takes the chance to live a healthy away from a person dying of organ failure. Organ donation can offer an improved quality of life for the recipient. Not only is there a severe shortage …show more content…
“In 2016, more than 130 million people over the age of 18 had registered as organ donors. That's more than half of all U.S. adults. (54%)” (“Organ Donation Statistics.”). More than 4 out of 5 donations came from deceased donors, and 1 out of 5 donations from living donors. Every 10 minutes, another name goes on the list of Americans waiting for an organ transplant. “Approximately 118,000 people in the U.S. are on waiting lists for transplants of kidneys, hearts, livers, and other organs. An estimated 8,000 of them will not live to receive a transplant” (Samuel, Leah). Most of those patients will have to wait months or even years before finding a donor organ, some will never find a donor. By the end of the day, approximately 22 more people will die while awaiting a viable donor organ. Many people who are involved in serious, often deadly, car accidents are not organ donors. Often times, victims of these car accidents are diagnosed as braindead and families of said drivers are not willing to donate their loved ones’ organs. Some of these victims remain on life support so long that their organs are no longer viable. Not only does this prolong the grief of the victims’ families, but it takes away another person’s chance to live a better, healthier life. “Explaining to your loved ones your decision to donate at the time of your death …show more content…
Many drivers opt not to be organ donors for various reasons, making it mandatory would dramatically increase the number of available organ donors. Becoming an organ donor is as simple as checking a box on your license or even going online and filling out a form. Registering to become a donor is easier today than it has ever been. Anyone can register to become an organ donor, whether you’re young, old, large or small, sick or healthy. Organ donation saves thousands of lives every year and failing to become an organ donor takes away someones chance to live a healthy, normal life. “On average, approximately 30 people die everyday due to a shortage of available organ donors.” (“Frequently Asked Questions.”) The organ donation shortage is easily fixable. If every driver filled out the organ donation portion of their license, the amount of donors would increase by thousands, if not millions. Donation affects more than the donors and recipients. Families, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who love and support those in need of transplantation, and who benefit from their renewed life and improved health after transplant are also affected. Registering to be an organ donor is a charitable act that costs nothing. “One donor can greatly alter the lives of up to 58 people.” (“Frequently Asked Questions.”) If every driver was a donor, the list of people awaiting transplants would be almost

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