Let's dispel organ donation myths

It took me almost a week to complete a recent front page article about Josh Liljenberg's heart, which now pumps childlike joy through Catherine Beckman's life. Not because I've been too busy. Or uninterested. Or religiously or ethically opposed to organ donation.

It's because I'm so envious of the Liljenbergs that I can hardly bear it.

Jealous? Of a family that lost its 11-year-old son in a tragic accident?

Oh, yes. They are the lucky ones.

Two weeks after he graduated from high school, my son, Benjamin, nodded off at the wheel and drove his car into a tree. I never expected to be sitting in an emergency room at 4 in the morning, being asked to sign organ donation papers I couldn't bear to read.

But his father and I did not hesitate. It was unthinkable to us to deny anyone the gift of Ben's brilliant blue eyes, his freckled skin, his idealistic and compassionate heart. Our only regret is that he was too damaged to be of any help to someone else's child.

It's difficult to read about the death of a child, yet it's vital that stories of organ donations be shared, as publicly as possible. When the Green family of California was attacked while vacationing in Italy in 1994, they did not hesitate to donate the organs of their murdered 7-year-old son. Their selfless generosity stunned Italy.

Little Nicholas saved or enhanced the lives of seven Italian citizens. Within days, requests for donor cards quadrupled. This remarkable public response to a personal tragedy has been dubbed The Nicholas Green Effect.

Most Americans are aware that organs are needed and can be donated. Not everyone knows of the desperate need for tissue donation, which includes eyes, skin, veins, heart valves, ligaments and even bones. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people; a tissue donor may enhance the lives of more than 50 individuals.

Not everyone knows that organ and tissue donation is supported by virtually all major religions as an act of charity. The donation of organs or tissue will not affect the appearance of the deceased in an open casket, nor will it delay funeral plans.

Some worry that donor designation will color the judgment of emergency medical personnel. Doctors work to save lives - period. Organ donation will not be discussed until the life of the donor cannot possibly be sustained. Federal law prohibits any physician involved in resuscitation efforts to participate in the donation process in any way.

Federal law also prohibits the buying and selling of organs. It is a myth that the rich or the famous rise quickly to the top of donor lists. According to LifeCenter Northwest's Web site - www.lcnw.org - allocation is influenced by a variety of factors. But "the organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth or social status ... race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ."

There are no costs or medical liability issues to the families of organ donors. Successful organ transplants have been performed with organs donated by people in their 60s, 70s and even their 80s.

Some people think that including donation intent in their will is sufficient; they are mistaken. Even if you carry a donor card, family members must approve your choice. Joel Newman of the United Network for Organ Sharing stresses: "The single most important step to becoming a donor is family discussion."

Talk about it now. Before your Josh is fatally injured. Before someone's Catherine takes her final breath. Even though it's uncomfortable. Even though the loss of one you love is your personal nightmare. Consider it, research it, make your heart's choice. Do it now, so that it will be one less decision to be made in a time of crisis and unbearable grief.

There are currently more than 75,000 Americans waiting for transplants. Half will never receive the organs they need. Every 14 minutes a new name is added to the National Transplant Patient Waiting List. Sixteen of the people on that list will die today. We all need to know that families are waiting, that we are their hope, that even the dead can contribute to the living in wondrous ways.

What wouldn't I give to spend an afternoon with my own Catherine Beckman, sharing memories and photographs of my exceptional child, knowing that the heart that once beat in my womb now beats in her breast.

What wouldn't you give?

Copyright 2001 Cowles Publishing Company
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