Serving the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire of Georgia and South Carolina.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Over 100,000 men, women, and children are on the national transplant waiting list. Even worse, every eight minutes someone new is added.
Each year, the difference between the number of people waiting for organs versus the number of people willing to donate grows wider year after year. While 95% of US adults support organ donation, only about 54% are actually signed up to be donors. That means about 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant.
A single donor has one heart, two lungs, one liver, one pancreas, two kidneys, and one intestine to give away when they no longer need them. Signing up to become an organ donator is easy, simple, and a one-time decision.
To encourage more people to become organ donors and save lives, we’re explaining the basics and busting common myths below.
Being one of the greatest advancements in modern medicine, organ donation is when an organ or tissue is surgically removed and then given to someone who needs the donation to survive.
In case you were curious, here is a running list of all that can be transplanted:
There are several popular myths surrounding organ donors that keep many people from signing up. Nobody wants to think about what happens when they die, so it makes sense that rumors spread in this often-uncomfortable discussion.
If you’ve heard any of the following myths, you’re not alone. But, know that none of them are true and most are spread as excuses to keep people from signing up to saves lives.
We repeat. These myths are not true.
After a person has passed away, they are evaluated by the Organ Procurement Agency to discover their donor suitability. Anyone is available for organ donation, and, if you sign up, you might just be the perfect match for someone in desperate need of a heart or a lung.
Here’s how to do just that:
SouthCoast Health is always here to answer all of your medical questions, and, since we have a wide range of medical professionals and departments, we can handle most discussions about organ donation, no matter what body part your questions cover. Click here to schedule an appointment today.
Whether you are looking for a primary care doctor or a pediatrician, or another medical specialist, SouthCoast Health has you covered with its wide range of world-class healthcare services, available throughout the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. Founded in 1996, SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 17 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hilton Head, Hinesville, and Statesboro. SouthCoast Health offers comprehensive medical services including: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Allergy and Asthma, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Eye Care, Imaging, Infectious Diseases, Nephrology, Neurology, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Surgery, Clinical Trial Research Studies, Diabetic Self-Management Training Sessions, Dietetic Counseling, Laboratory Services, Massage Therapy, Optical Shop, Pharmacy, and Urgent Care.
SouthCoast Health has 120 physicians and medical professionals in 18 locations in Savannah, Richmond Hill, Pooler, Rincon, Baxley, Hinesville, and Statesboro.
