6 Myths About Organ Donation

Myth: Your religion prohibits organ donation. 

Fact: All major religions support organ donation.

Myth: Signing my driver’s license is enough.

Fact: It may not be, so to ensure your loved ones know your wishes, you should enroll in the New York State donor registry. 

Myth: “Brain dead” isn’t dead. 

Fact: A person is pronounced brain dead when they have suffered a brain injury and physicians have completed extensive exams to determine that all brain function is lost. At that point, the person is declared legally dead.

Myth: Money or fame improve your chances of getting a donated organ. 

Fact: The system to match organs with recipients is based on many factors, but not money or fame. Among the things that are considered are: matching blood type and body size between the donor and the recipient, and medical urgency of the patient in need.

Myth: You’ll get less care in an ER if they know you’re an organ donor. 

Fact: Saving patients’ lives is Job #1 for emergency department staff. In fact, when you come in for care, they don’t even know if you’re signed up to be an organ donor.

Myth: Donation costs money. 

Fact: All costs associated with donation are covered by Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network.

To learn more about organ donation and transplantation, please visit the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network website. Or call (585) 272-4930.