During a very interesting conversation day before yesterday, my son asked me a fully loaded question. 

I would like to now pass this question on to you. Let’s set up the backdrop. 

You (or a loved one) have been struck by the fates. Not simply sidelined, but struck and I mean struck down to the point that your life as you once knew it, is no more.  If you don’t get help the green line may just go flat. 

Flat.  . .

A heart. Lung. Perhaps bone for facial reconstruction. 

Many parts of the human body can be transplanted to other people to improve their quality of life, or to help them survive. From eyes, livers, kidneys and skin, to hearts and stem cells, these body  parts are harvested immediately upon death and implanted or infused into someone else.

I think we would unanimously agree that the receiver would be eternally grateful to the gift giver. 

Below is a list of the organs that are transplantable.

1. Heart

For those suffering heart failure from a disease or virus, a donated heart makes the difference between living or dying. 

 2. Lungs

Donated lungs are transplanted into people suffering from fatal lung conditions, such as Cystic Fibrosis.

3. Kidneys

The two kidneys given by each donor are transplanted into two different recipients, who need only one functioning kidney to lead a normal life. 

4. Liver

The liver filters the blood and metabolizes the food we eat. The only cure for liver failure is a liver transplant.

5. Pancreas

Donated to diabetics, a new pancreas eliminates the need for daily insulin injections.

Recent, breakthrough research in Canada, has found a new procedure for transplanting pancreatic islet cells to cure diabetics.

6. Eye Tissue (Cornea)

When it comes to restoring lost vision, corneal transplants have a 90 to 95 per cent success rate and are among the most often performed transplants.


7. Bone

Bone that has been destroyed by tumors or infections can often be replaced with healthy donated bone, saving limbs that would otherwise have to be amputated. 

8. Skin

Donated skin is used as a dressing to speed up the healing process for severe burn victims.

9. Heart Valves

Donated heart valves are often used for infants whose heart valves are defective at birth.

10. Bowel

Donated bowels are often transplanted into infants and corrects birth defects. This saves lives and improves quality of life. 

11. Tendons and ligaments

Donated tendons and ligaments are used in orthopedic and plastic surgery to repair or replace tendons and ligaments that have been destroyed by disease.

12. Veins

Donated veins are used to replace and repair veins that have been destroyed by disease. Used in heart by-pass surgery.

Did you know that one organ donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and save or improve the lives of fifty recipients via tissue and eye donation? I didn’t, which doesn’t matter because this is not the question.

The question is:

Would you give and let live?

©Tracie Frank Mayer

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