Why do we need to talk about organ donation?
Organ donation involves transplanting an organ from one person to another. Also called transplantation, organ transplants replace failing vital organs. This allows transplant recipients to return to an almost normal existence.
The transplant (= organ removed and then transplanted) is usually taken from donors who are brain dead. In this case, the donor’s vital functions are maintained by the medical team while the various organs are removed. Many organs and tissues can be transplanted to the recipient (s) such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, skin, cornea, etc. Organ donation thus makes it possible to help a large number of people awaiting transplants.
Some samples are also taken from people while they are alive (= donation of the living), most of the time to help a member of his family. Among the organs that can be removed are the kidney, skin, bone marrow, bone fragments and exceptionally part of the liver or lung. For example, a person suffering from kidney failure needs weekly dialysis, a restrictive and very cumbersome technique. Dialysis replaces the work of the kidney by filtering the blood, but never completely replaces the kidney.
Not to be confusedOrgan donation and the donation of one’s body to science are unrelated. The donation of one’s body to science allows medicine and researchers to advance in their research work. Organ donation is used to save lives or to treat sick people. |
In France, organ donation is paid for by hospitals carrying out transplants. The victim’s family therefore has nothing to worry about.
Say it around youIn France, if you want to be an organ donor, talk to your relatives. First, it will prevent your family from making this decision for you. In addition, it will allow you to make your voice heard. For example, you can specify whether you want one of your organs not to be removed. You can also request a donor card, but this has no legal value, the medical team will still have to consult your relatives before any removal. If you refuse to donate your organs, contact the national register of refusals of the Biomedicine agency. Before any transplant, the medical team will check whether your name appears in this register or not. In Canada, organ donation is administered by each province. In Quebec, for example, there are three different ways of granting organ donation: registration in a health insurance register, registration in the register of the Chambre des Notaires du Québec or a sticker to be affixed to his health insurance card. Know that if you have not taken one of these three steps, the decision is up to your family. |