Mahaska Health Partnership Encourages Organ and Tissue Donation
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – April is designated as National Donate Life Month, a time when people are encouraged to register YES to become organ, tissue and eye donors. Mahaska Health Partnership encourages you to consider your options when thinking about organ and tissue donation.
According to the Iowa Donor Network, organ and tissue donation is a gift that saves lives every year. It can offer comfort to families as their loved ones leave a lasting legacy of hope upon donation. For those receiving organs or tissues, they get a second chance at life.
“Organ and tissue donation continues to be a pressing issue in our nation,” MHP Nursing Support Director Joy Patch explained. “There is a new person added to the waiting list every 10 minutes, and 21 people die each day waiting for an organ.
“Just one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation and help more than 50 people through tissue donation. It’s so important to discuss your wishes with your family or register to be a donor if you want to participate in this program.
Like other medical directives, the choice to donate can be made ahead of time. “We strongly encourage anyone who has specific wishes to file their decision to donate with the Iowa Donor Network,” Patch urged. “Sharing your wishes with your family is equally important, but having them in writing ahead of time helps alleviate some of the burden of decision making placed on your loved ones.
“Donation is naturally a tough subject to address with any family; no one wants to think about the what-ifs. However, taking the burden off your family to decide for you can greatly reduce stress levels in an already tumultuous time.”
Patch went on to explain the common concerns surrounding organ donation. “Many people worry that they must be a certain age, in great health or have other hard to meet qualifications to be a donor. As long as you are over 18, you can register to be a donor. In the event of death, hospitals evaluate donors to ensure they are eligible. Even with health complications, donation is usually still an option and the person is still qualified for some type of donation.
MHP does not directly participate in organ donation due to the strict circumstances that surround eligibility. “Organs must continue to receive blood and nourishment up to the moment of donation in order to be viable,” Patch shared. “As a Level III Trauma Center, MHP is able to assist patients that are gravely injured by stabilizing them for transport to a larger, metropolitan hospital where additional evaluation and treatment can occur. If there is no hope for recovery after that, organ donation may be considered.”
Patch went on to explain MHP’s role in tissue donation. “While we do not participate in organ donation, MHP is able to participate in tissue donation, something that is equally important and valuable. Many different people can benefit from a single person’s decision to donate. While it is never an easy situation for families, the majority find comfort in knowing their loved one was able to help so many others.”
The Iowa Donor Network (IDN) is a non-profit organization that operates as the primary contact for organ, tissue and eye donation services for the state of Iowa. The IDN engages in organ and tissue recovery, organ distribution, public education, hospital development and family support services. For more information regarding donation and the IDN, visit IowaDonorNetwork.org.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more
information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
