| Myths |
| about donation |
Myth: I am too old to donate.
Fact: Age is not a decisive factor in whether your tissues can be used.
Myth: I can’t give because of I’ve had cancer (or other medical history).
Fact: In most cases a medical history of cancer or other disease does not rule out
donation. Because donated tissue is used for so many different purposes, from
transplantation to research, your medical history need not rule you out, with the
exception of infectious diseases.
donation. Because donated tissue is used for so many different purposes, from
transplantation to research, your medical history need not rule you out, with the
exception of infectious diseases.
Myth: Tissue donation means I couldn’t have an open casket.
Fact: Tissue donation does not interfere with an open casket funeral arrangement.
Myth: I have problems with my eyesight, so I can't donate.
Fact: Eye tissue is used in many ways, both medical and clinical. Eye problems
don't preclude you as a donor.
don't preclude you as a donor.
Myth: If I pledge to be a donor, I may not get the same level of urgent life-saving
care in the hospital because my tissues will be of value to another recipient.
care in the hospital because my tissues will be of value to another recipient.
Fact: This is a widespread myth with no basis whatsoever. There is a legal and
ethical separation between professionals in charge of organs and tissues and the
clinical caregivers, who dedicate their lives to saving and treating the patients in
their care. When treating a patient, no consideration can be given to the person's
donor status, and there is no impact on the care provided.
ethical separation between professionals in charge of organs and tissues and the
clinical caregivers, who dedicate their lives to saving and treating the patients in
their care. When treating a patient, no consideration can be given to the person's
donor status, and there is no impact on the care provided.
Myth: Tissues can only help people of the same race as the donor.
Fact: Tissues can be used regardless of the race of the donor and recipient. Race
is not a factor.
is not a factor.
Myth: My religion prohibits tissue donation because it interferes with the burial
rites of my faith.
rites of my faith.
Fact: This is one of the most common misconceptions about organ and tissue
donation. Donation is accepted by virtually every faith, and for many, it is seen as
a moral obligation! The donation process is
donation. Donation is accepted by virtually every faith, and for many, it is seen as
a moral obligation! The donation process is
performed immediately after consent is
granted at the hospital and does not cause
any delay in burial rites. Tissue donation
does not interfere with any religious burial
arrangements. If you have questions,
contact your leaders about the role of being
a donor and how it fits in with your spiritual
path and your faith.
granted at the hospital and does not cause
any delay in burial rites. Tissue donation
does not interfere with any religious burial
arrangements. If you have questions,
contact your leaders about the role of being
a donor and how it fits in with your spiritual
path and your faith.
Myth: My family will never know how my donated tissue was used.
Fact: Donor Services has a Bereavement Counselor, who will contact a donor’s
family through letters or the telephone, to let them know how the tissues have
benefited other people in our community.
family through letters or the telephone, to let them know how the tissues have
benefited other people in our community.
Myth: I can’t afford any costs that might be associated with tissue donation.
Fact: There is never any cost to the donor or the donor’s family. Hospitals and
those who use the tissue in their life-saving and life-enhancing work pay the costs.
those who use the tissue in their life-saving and life-enhancing work pay the costs.
| D O N O R S E R V I C E S O F I N D I A N A |
| Donor Services of Indiana. |
| A not-for-profit organization providing life-saving and life-enhancing donor-tissue services in Indiana. |
6931 Quemetco Ct. Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803 260-749-9105
877-749-9105
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |