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770-579-9177
Kites are often first seen in the springtime – as the weather warms for outside play and life
“blooms” all around us. The symbol of a kite also was chosen as the symbolic reminder of how new life or healing can be provided to men, women, and children through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
In 1954, the first successful transplantation of an organ (kidney) occurred in Boston between a set of identical twins – one of which had kidney failure. Thirty years later, Congress passed the National
Organ Transplant Act which prohibited the sale of human organs and created the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network
(OPTN).
Using the most basic of explanations, OPTN (which now has the non-profit oversight of the United Network for Organ Sharing or
UNOS) maintains the computerized database for potential recipients.
Once a deceased organ donor is made available, the computer matches the donor’s characteristics to those on the list and then ranks a list of candidates for each organ according to tissue match, blood type, length of time on waiting list, immune status, and distance from recipient to donor. Once the proper recipient is selected and any pre-transplant tests are successfully completed, the transplant takes place.
In the United States, there are approximately 122,000 people waiting for an organ transplant. In 2013, there were about 29,000 organ transplants and approximately 1 million cornea or tissue transplants performed. One organ donor can save up to 8 lives – and provide life-changing tissues for up to 50 people. Anyone, regardless of age or medical history can be a donor – however, at the time of death (or desired donation, if living donor) the transplant team will determine one’s ability to donate.
Deceased donors can provide the following organs: kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart, and intestines. They can also provide tissues such as bones, skin for grafts, heart valves and veins – and corneas. Living donors can provide a kidney or a portion of the liver, lung, intestine, and (in some instances) eyes and tissues.
If you have decided to become an organ donor and have been added to the state-specific donor registry, it is also important to inform your own medical decision makers (whether it be legal next of kin or power of attorney), physicians involved in your care, and to include this information in your advance directives (if applicable).
National Website regarding Organ Donation – With statespecific information on how to become an organ donor www.organdonor.gov
Department of Health & Human Services - US Government
Information on Organ/Tissue Donation and Transplantation
Click, “Become a Donor” or call 1-866-99-DONATE (36628) to receive state-specific information on how you can register. The website also contains wonderful information about donation and transplantation – as well as updated statistics, Q&A, etc.
Lacy Doremus, LMSW, C-ASWCM, facilitates a monthly caregiver support group at 7pm at Presbyterian Village - conference room between
Hearthstone and Wellness center. The address is 2000 E West
Connector Austell, GA and meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month at 7pm.
Lisa Meeks, CMC, CTRS, facilitates a monthly spousal caregiver support group on the third Thursday at noon at Arbor Terrace East Cobb – private dining room. The address is 886 Johnson Ferry Rd. Marietta, GA. RSVPs are required and should be provided to Arbor Terrace at 770-977-4420 - as complimentary lunch is served.
Geriatric Care Management services provide clinical assessment, monitoring, and guidance to families who are caring for an aging loved one.
We help provide objective and clinically focused analysis of one's condition, and strive to promote a safe level of guidance and independence for those under care. Our assistance with families promotes cost and time savings, stress reduction, and proactive discussion with management of a senior’s care needs. We can be the “hub” of information to hold all providers accountable and retain proper focus on client centered care.
For more information regarding Geriatric Care Management services, our support groups, or to inquire about requesting services for someone under your care through SeniorCare Options, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 770-579-9177 or brandih@seniorcareopt.com
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SeniorCare Options April 2014