Organ donation helps all

Organ Donation is rarely a charity you hear about, yet it is the one that is most beneficial. With consent, upon our death we have a chance to donate our organs to other’s who are in need of them.

The best part about becoming an organ donor that all it takes is a signature on the back of the driver’s license. Most states across the country have a high population of organ donors, while New York has among the lowest.

Donating organs is probably one of the most underrated acts of charity yet, is one of the most beneficial. Maybe because the idea of harvesting organs is a bit taboo, but actually there are more myths about it than truths.

Many people might dismiss becoming an organ donor because of their religious background. Contrary to that belief, most religious faiths do support and often praise the act of donating organs.

Catholicism, Judaism and Islam among many other faiths see the act of
donating organs as an act of caring, love, and nobleness.

Another myth that has been seen as true is that you have to be a certain age to donate organs. You can actually be any age to donate organs as long as your body is in good condition. For example, a 35-year-old man can have a liver that’s in horrible condition due to alcohol and other behaviors while a 60-year-old can have a liver in perfect condition.

Donating organs also includes donating blood, tissue, and stem cells. These can be either used for research or can be transported to save someone’s life. Donating organs is mostly a decision one makes before they die, and is often a recommended decision so that family members can respect it.

Another myth is that once you sign up as an organ donor, you must donate all your organs. The reality is that you can choose which organs to donate and if you want you can have your whole body donated to research.

Another major benefit of donating organs is the relationship you can possibly form with the recipient of your donation. Knowing you saved someone’s life, or even made his or her lives better by one donation can be an achievement for a lifetime.

Organ donation rates in New York are among the lowest in the country with close to 10% being registered organ donor. The reason why it’s so low in comparison to other states remains a mystery, however certain students of the University are trying to change that.

On Nov. 3, students of public relations class junior Jon Spurny, and seniors Adrienne Chan, Elizabeth Christy, Maura Hughes and Megan Oliver put together an event to bring organ donation awareness to the campus. The event was held from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. and included games with prizes such as Operation; they also featured the film Seven Pounds.

These students want to continue to bring awareness of donating organs. Dispelling many of the rumors that organ donation is associated with. Hopefully, the more the word is spread about the major benefits donating organs can bring to mankind more people will register as donors.