Informative Speech: Misconceptions Surrounding Organ Donation

For over 13 year I have worked in healthcare and I have seen multiple patients die from organ failure as they waited on the transplant list. I’ve seen patients lose their quality of life as they sit in hospitals for weeks and months at a time as they waited for a kidney transplant. I also know people who have donated the organs of their loved ones and were blessed to know that their loss was the beginning of another person’s life.

Christmas is just around the corner. I 'm sure growing up there was a toy that you just had to have. How did you feel having to wait until Christmas morning to see if you got that toy? You might have felt anxious or hopeful. Well, that is exactly how the thousands of people who are on the national waiting list for organ transplants feel every minute of every day. However, instead of waiting for a toy, they are waiting for something they literally cannot live without. I am a registered donor and know people who have had organ transplants. There is a continuously increasing need for organ donors, and it is easy to become an organ donor. Today, I hope to persuade you all to become registered donors by explaining the need for more donors, what you can donate, and how you can become a donor.

The medical industry had been achieving more in the stage of medical advancements, though they are still in the early phase. Artificial organs have been one of those achievements. Although they have achieved such, artificial organs are not perfect. Most doctors as well as patients would prefer to replace a dying organ with a compatible human organ, rather than with an artificial or animal organ. Yet due to a there being less organs donated than recipients, artificial and animal organs are becoming more common in transplants. Most of this issue is because people are unaware of how organ donation works, the organs that can be donated, how many people are in need, and the advancements that have happened in the field. Organ donation saves hundreds of lives every year, but many lives are recklessly lost due to a shortage of organ donors.

1. People of all ages and backgrounds can be organ donors, and if you are under 18, you must get permission from your parent before registering as an organ donor.

Transition: I’m sure you all see the need for people like you to donate your organs. But you might be asking, “Well, how can I make sure my organs are donated after I die?” Let me tell you.

2. Statement of Significance: Most people in the U.S. do not know if they are an organ donor or not. One way to find out is by looking at your driver’s license.

You are free to pick out the organs you want to donate and you may additionally specify the tissues you want to donate.

Due to a combination of fear and minimal education on the system, many individuals dread being on the organ donation list. The long-term benefits are simply not considered, thus allowing selfishness to hold back a lot of individuals, but with the proper education an understanding will be met.

If one person becomes an organ donor, they can save up to eight lives (UNOS). The demand for organs has rapidly increased in the last decade due to more incidences of vital organ failure (NCBI). More people should sign up to be organ donors, knowing that they could save so many lives. You don’t have to die to donate your organs, a kidney donor can donate one of their kidneys by a simple operation. You would be able to see the magic come alive yourself and see how you made a family and persons wish come true. Today, I will first take you through the problems of not having enough people donate their organs. Next, we will look into the effects of this problem. Finally, we will sign off with some solutions for getting more people to become organ donors.

I will tell you why organ donors are life savers, how you can become one, the commons myths and Why this topic is very important to me

You might have wondered about donating an organ -- either to a friend or relative who needs an organ right now, or by filling out an organ donor card. Before you decide to become an organ donor, here is some important information you need to consider.

To become an organ donor, all you need to do is fill out a form, which you can find on the New York State Department of Health Website. (http://www.nyhealth.gov) Becoming an organ donor is easy and free. The online form asks you very simple questions, such as your name, date of birth, and which organs or tissues you wish to donate. If you are under the age of 18, you can still choose to be an organ donor with parental consent. Anyone can decide to be a donor. A person’s medical history, race, age, and other characteristics are disregarded until your time of donation. Medical Professionals will determine how suitable you are for donation when you die. After filling out the form, you receive a card that is proof to give the doctor’s permission to operate and remove your organs or tissues from your body.

According to the US Department Health & Human Service website a person will be added to the donor list every 10 minutes (Why Donate?, 2014). What if one of those individuals were in your family? Wouldn’t you want others to offer a life-saving opportunity to you? While making the choice to donate any organ is difficult you have the power to offer the needed organ to your own family or another family that may be losing hope.

Thesis Statement: The need is constantly growing for organ donors and it is very simple to be an organ donor when you die.

Every thirty minutes someone gets added to the waiting list for an organ transplant (‘Frequently Asked Questions”). Not only that, but the number of patients being added to the waiting list is growing larger than the number of donors (“Organ Donation Statistics”). Many people are in the need of some kind of organ donation, so anyone who donates can help to save many lives. Organ donation is also such a great way to give back to people. Another thing is that to donate an organ a person does not have to pay money (“Organ Donation FAQ’s”). The only part that costs money is for the funeral if they are a deceased donor (“Organ Donation FAQ’s”).