NEW ORLEANS, April 15 National Donate Life Month (April) is a 30-day initiative to celebrate the heroes who've saved and enhanced lives through organ, eye and tissue donation and to educate the public on their options and wishes. To raise awareness, Ochsner Health System is launching the "Save Nine" campaign, a YouTube video initiative to encourage more informed decisions. With a goal of adding 6,000 more residents to the organ donor registry, Ochsner asks the public to join this life-saving effort, view the video at www.youtube.com/savenine, then register to become a donor. To the beat of a famous disco song, the video features costumed organs and transplant recipients groovin' in the name of organ donation.
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"This entertaining video, which shows how organ donation is a celebration of the gift of life, was produced in an effort to save lives because if 6,000 additional residents registered to become a donor, more than 54,000 lives could be saved or enhanced - the impact is tremendous and it only takes a few minutes to register," says Dr. Ana Hands, Director of International Health and Transplant Services, Ochsner Health System. One organ donor can save up to nine lives, and one tissue donor can enhance the lives of 50 individuals.
As donor awareness increases, residents, hospitals, and transplant centers around the world will have a greater opportunity to save and enhance more lives. Illustrating the global need and impact of organ donation, Ochsner recently cared for transplant patients from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, and as far away as, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia.
Dispelling the Myths - Understanding organ and tissue donation can make this life-saving choice more comfortable and gratifying. Below are the facts that dispel many myths about organ donation:
- Myth: If I'm a donor, healthcare workers won't work so hard to save my life.
Fact: When you're in the hospital, saving your life is the number one priority of doctors and nurses.
- Myth: I'm too young.
Fact: Even if you're under 18, you can make your wish to become a donor known to a parent or guardian.
- Myth: I'm too old; no one will want my organs.
Fact: There is no defined cutoff age for organ donation; organ function rather than age is evaluated at the time of death.
- Myth: Donating my organs and tissues won't allow me to have a traditional funeral service.
Fact: Organ and tissue donation will not interfere with an open-casket funeral.
- Myth: My family won't be able to grieve properly.
Fact: Most families say that knowing their loved one helped someone else, helps them through their grieving process.
- Myth: Organ donation is against my religion.
Fact: Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most religions.
"Every day, our goal is to increase the awareness of organ donation and often times it takes something as unique as the 'Save Nine' campaign video to encourage someone to become a donor," adds Kirsten Heintz, Director of Development, Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. The most important step to become an organ donor is to make your wishes known. Here's how:
-- Register to Donate Life at www.lopa.org
-- Call 1-800-521-GIVE (4483)
-- Driver's license - Louisiana DMV
-- If you're under 18, make your wishes known to a parent or guardian
SOURCE Ochsner Health System
