We spend a lot of our time talking, but are we really talking about what matters?
Donate life is asking you to have a conversation that many people try to avoid.
Do you want to donate your organs when you die?
Organ donation is not as simple as you may think.
Only a small percentage of people who die can actually become donors.
So it's really important that your family knows your wishes, and you know theirs, to
maximise the number of potential donors.
Why can't everyone donate?
Firstly, you need to die in a hospital.
Organs deteriorate quickly once you die because they lack oxygen.
This means they won't be healthy enough to donate if you die elsewhere.
But that's alright.
Don't lots of people die in a hospital?
Well, there are very specific criteria that need to be met before someone can donate.
In reality, only one percent of people who die in hospital are potential donors.
One percent?
That's not many.
I know.
In most cases, a person can only donate after they've been pronounced brain dead.
This means they can't think, feel, respond or even breathe independently.
The most likely cause is a bleed in the brain, such as a stroke, resulting in irreversible
damage.
So how do you know when somebody's brain dead?
Good question.
They can often look just like they're asleep.
To confirm someone is brain dead, a doctor conducts eight tests to check if the person
responds to external stimulation.
The tests include touching the person's eye, syringing ice cold water into their ear and
testing for a gag reflex.
These actions cause a response in anyone with brain function, even people in comas.
Negative responses to all the tests are required to confirm brain death.
All eight tests are then repeated by a second doctor to double check there is no response.
It's incredibly thorough.
Once a person is pronounced brain dead, the potential for organ donation becomes a reality.
But it's not a done deal.
Your organs could still be medically unsuitable for donation.
However, if this is the case, you may be able to donate eye, heart, bone and skin tissues
instead.
Ah, so organ donation isn't that easy.
While criteria are strict, this is necessary to ensure the people receiving the organs
have the best chance of survival.
Remember, one donor can transform the lives of ten or more people.
So you can see why it's really important that every potential donor is recognised.
Can't I just make my decision and register it online?
Why do I need to tell my family?
Well, the death of a family member can be a distressing time for those left behind.
It's important that the people closest to you know your wishes in advance as it can
make the whole process less traumatic.
So discover the facts, decide whether you want to be a donor and discuss your decision
with those closest to you.
Take your wish count.
