Organ donation is a polarizing topic. Some people feel like everyone should be required to donate their organs. Others have religious or personal beliefs that make organ donation an uncomfortable subject. If you are trying to decide whether to become an organ donor, there are many reasons to do so. Here are a few that may help make your decision.

Helping Others

Thousands of people need new organs every year, from babies to the elderly. The fewer people who donate, the longer these patients need to wait on the donor list. By donating your organs, you ensure that someone else out there will get a second chance at life, all because of you.

Helping Science

Conversely, you can also choose to donate your body to science. Medical students need access to human bodies to learn about the anatomy, and researchers can study any illnesses you may have had. Unfortunately, medical advancements can be slow due to a lack of donations, so consider donating if you believe it will help.

Not Visible

Some people are afraid of donating their organs, because they fear their scars will be visible during a funeral. Fortunately, morticians are very capable of hiding scars from surgery. This makes it unlikely that anyone will notice damage from donations.

Blood Types

If you have the blood type O-, you should seriously consider donating your organs. People with O- blood can donate to any blood type, but may only receive from their own. This means your organs will surely be useful, and may be the only ones available for someone with your blood type.

Unused

The worst-case scenario of organ donation is the inability to utilize the organs. This can happen because of damage to the organ, or even if they are not harvested fast enough. Regardless, the worst that can happen is that your body will go through the process, but not be used. This is a simple sacrifice to make, considering there is a large chance your organs can be useful to someone.

Not everyone is comfortable with organ donation, but if you are on-the-fence, I urge you to consider the lives you might help. Take a second look at these points and really think of the effects donating can have on those in need.

From Patch