Tissue Donors Make a Difference, Too

Even though it does not get the publicity or notoriety that organ donation does, tissue donation makes a huge, positive impact on peoples' lives, too. In fact, studies show that only about 2% of registered organ donors are actually able to donate their organs at time of death. There are a number of reasons the percentage is so low. The person's cause of death and / or various factors involving their prior health history can sometimes preclude someone from being an organ donor. However, even if someone is unable to be an organ donor, nearly everyone can be a tissue donor. In fact, just one tissue donor can improve as many as 50 lives !!

A human eye that received a cornea transplant. This is after one year of healing, there are still two stiches left to be removed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The types of tissues that can be donated include corneas (eyes), bone, skin, ligaments, tendons, and heart valves. One person that knows the value of tissue donation is Janice Smith of Maryland Heights, MO. Up until a few years ago, she suffered from a genetic eye disease called Fuchs' Dystrophy. The disease causes the deterioration of the cells of the cornea, the clear membrane that covers the front of the eye, leading to fluid buildup and blurry vision.

Janice had lost her vision to the point that she could not watch TV, drive, or read. So, in 2006 and 2007 she had cornea transplants done, first on one eye and then on the other. When asked about the vast improvement in her quality of life, Janice said, "It was like a miracle. If I hadn't had this, it would have ended my independence."

Currently, they are over 40,000 Americans in need of a cornea transplant. The interesting thing about cornea transplants is that there is no matching done from donor to recipient. It is not necessary. In fact, the process is simple compared to an organ transplant, because donor and recipient do not even have to be the same blood type.

For more information about organ and tissue donation, or if you would like to register as a donor, please visit our website at www.SaveLivesTN.org.

Read more : emissourian.com article titled "A Vision for All to See"