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More than 94,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant to save their lives. Each day, about 77 people receive a transplant, but 19 others die waiting.
April is national Donate Life Month, a time to honor organ donors and for recipients to express their gratitude.
Brian Hartford, who lives in Milford, writes to his anonymous donor’s family each year on the anniversary of his heart transplant, thanking the family for the gift of life. “I knew someone had to die and give something of themselves for me to live. I realize that sacrifice,” Hartford said.
His donor was a 22-year-old who died in a skateboarding accident. Hartford doesn’t know his name or who the family is, but his letter is forwarded through a nonprofit organization.
Hartford stayed in the hospital for almost three months waiting for a new heart after he suffered a massive heart attack and heart failure.
“I was on my last breath of air when I got the transplant,” he said.
Since the surgery in 1990, Hartford, 64, has changed his lifestyle.
“I know I have a special thing inside me, and it’s my job to live the best I can. I owe it to my donor,” he said. Before the surgery, he said, he lived life in the fast lane, smoking cigarettes and partying. Now he’s remarried and serves as a chaplain for the American Legion.
He spends most of his time telling people about the benefits of donating organs, promoting the book he wrote about his experience and enjoying each day of his new life.
Choosing to give
Almost anyone can donate an organ, federal officials say, although most people do not sign up as donors.
The United Network for Organ Sharing, a private, nonprofit organization, maintains the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. The organization matches donors with recipients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, under a contract with the federal government.
In addition, LifeSharers, an organization that works with the network, allows people who are willing to donate organs to offer their organs other donors before they are offered to anyone else. The organization is 8,000 strong with a few participants in Lewes. Mike Touhey, 46, signed up because he said he wants to help people, even in his death.
“Why not help someone else instead of burying me in a box in the ground?” he asked.
He said he is trying to be helpful to people in the future and is trying to keep his organs in good shape so they may be of use some day.
“It may make a difference – not in a big, wide sense, but to one person,” Touhey said.
Lifesharers is based on the idea that people who are willing to donate should be first to receive a transplant should they require one. “I want to help someone who wants to help other people too,” Touhey said.
People of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds are eligible to donate, although people who are HIV positive, have active cancer or a systemic infection cannot donate.
Newborns and senior citizens have been organ donors. The condition of organs is more important than age, but anyone who wishes to donate should not be deterred because of age or other health problems.
Organs and tissues in need
Organs that can be transplanted include kidneys, hearts, lungs, liver, pancreases and intestines, but they cannot be stored and must be used within hours of removing them from the donor’s body. Most donated organs are from people who have died, but a living individual can donate a kidney, part of the pancreas, part of a lung, part of the liver or part of the intestine.
In addition to organs certain tissues, which can be stored in tissue banks, can be used to improve lives. Heart valves can be used to repair faulty hearts, and skin can be used as graft material for burn victims.
For more information, go to www.organdonor.gov or www.lifesharers.org.
Contact Molly Albertson at malbertson@capegazette.com
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