Myths And Facts

Myth 1

Once I have signed the organ donation card I will not be taken care of if I have a accident

Fact: This will never happen. Saving lives is the responsibility and foremost priority of every medical personnel.Only after a person is certified dead will the suitability of organ donation be considered to bring life in another patient with organ failure.

Myth 2

I am too young to have to think about organ donation

Facts: Suitable organ donors are mostly patients who die suddenly in accidents or from acute illnesses. If the wish of these victims to donate organs after death has not been recorded or made known to family members beforehand, it will be difficult for their wish to  be realized after death. Thus, it is never too young to consider organ donation.

Myth 3

I am worried that all my organs will be taken away even if I wish to donate one of them.

Fact: You may specify in the Computerized Online Organ Donation Registration or on donation card which organs/tissues you wish to donate. In addition,consent needs to be obtained from your family with respect to the organ/tissue to be removed for transplant purpose.

Myth 4

The transplant of an organ from one body to another may not be acceptable accordion to my religious belief.

Fact: Most religion encourage sharing and giving.In fact, religions such as Buddism, Taoism,Catholicism ,Hinduism and Christianity all support the spirit of organ donation as an act of benevolence and merit.

Myth 5

I am worried that the organ recipient or his / her family will cause more grief to my family by sending their thanks or condolences upon learning the donor's name and address.

Fact: The privacy of donor and recipient will always be respected. Neither the names nor personal particulars of the donor will be disclosed, but the family of the donor will be informed of the recipient's progress after the transplant.

Myth 6

I heard about this guy who went to a party, and woke up next morning in a bathtub full of ice.His kidneys were stolen for sale on the black market.

Fact:This tale has been widely circulated on the Internet. There is absolutely no evidence of such activity ever occurring . While the tale might seem credible ,it has no basis in the reality of organ transplantation .Many people who hear a myth probably dismiss it,but it is possible that some believe it and decide against organ donation out of needless fear.

Myth 7

Rich and famous people get moved on the top of waiting list, while 'regular 'people have to wait a long time for a transplant.

Fact: The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to name,celebrity or social status or wealth." When you are on transplant waiting list for a donor organ,what really counts is the severity of your illness,time spent waiting ,blood type,and other medical information ." While many cases of celebrities receiving transplants are reported by the media,celebrities have to wait in line just like everyone. It is often forgotten that some celebrities have died waiting in line for a transplant.

Myth 8

I have a history of medical illness. You would not want my organs or tissues.

Fact:At the time of death,the team that coordinates donation will review medical and social histories to determine donor suitability on a case-by-case basis. Many diseases that were once considered to exclude organ donation are no longer considered a barrier eg.diabetes.

Myth 9

Eyes can be removed out of living human beings.

Fact:Eyes are removed only after death.

Myth 1

Eyes can be donated even by a live person.

Fact: Eyes can only be pledged by a live person. Eyes can be donated only after death.

Myth 1

Removal of eyes causes disfigurement of the face.

Fact: Removal of eyes does not produce any disfigurement of the face.

Myth 12

Eye donation interferes with, or delays customary final rites.

Fact: Eye donation does not interfere with or delay final rites, as the corneal excision procedure takes less than 20 minutes.

Myth 13

Eyes of aged donors are not acceptable.

Fact: All donor eyes are acceptable irrespective of the donor's age, including eyes of premature/ still-born babies.

Myth 14

Indian eyes are not good to be used for corneal transplantation.

Fact: Eyes of any deceased person anywhere in the world can be used for corneal transplantation following evaluation.

Myth 15

An entire eye can be transplanted. Only the cornea is used for transplantation.

Fact: Corneal transplantation is an experimental procedure. Corneal transplantation is a proven, routinely performed surgery and is a successful procedure.

Myth 16

Corneal transplantation is not effective and successful in Indian eyes.

Fact: Corneal transplantation is effective in all eyes, if performed under optimal conditions.

Myth 17

Human eyes can be bought or sold.

Faact: Selling or buying of human eyes is illegal.

Myth 18

Only those who have pledged their eyes can donate them after death.

Fact: Pledging of eyes is not important, because even in the case of a pledgee, the consent of the family member is essential, without which an eye cannot be removed.