When I turned 15, I passed my driver’s license test. I can’t remember at what point organ donation went on your driver’s license for the first time, but I immediately signed up to become an organ donor.
When I was young, a friend of the family was in a tragic accident, and everyone was asked to donate blood. I am a firm believer in both blood and organ donation. Both acts of kindness save lives daily.
What is SM?
Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare hematological disease characterized by mast cells that are overactive and accumulate in different parts of the body such as the bone marrow, liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes.
It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with indolent systemic mastocytosis (SM) that I found out I was no longer eligible to donate blood or be an organ donor. The Mast Cell Disease Society said that SM is a clonal disorder, and the genetic tendency toward the mutation that causes SM may be transmitted. So there is no donation of blood, blood products, tissue or organs for anyone with a mast cell disorder.
Read more about SM treatment and care
I feel so guilty when I pass the mobile blood donation kiosks when I am visiting or shopping somewhere. Of course, the volunteers ask if I would like to donate, and I have to say no. But I can encourage others to make this a priority.
Just think. One donation of blood can save up to three lives, and more than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Volunteer blood donors are the source of hope for cancer patients, accident victims, babies and pregnant women, and many others.
This hits close to home for me. When I had my last child, I came into the ER hemorrhaging. I was in Class 4 hemorrhagic shock, having lost more than 40% of my body’s blood. If not for the heroes who give blood, I would not have survived, and I would not have my daughter, as she also needed a blood transfusion at birth. I am forever grateful for blood donations.
Why organ donation? It saves lives and improves the quality of life for many people. Donated organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver or intestines can save lives through transplants. Donated tissue can replace bones, tendons and ligaments lost to disease, trauma or cancer. Donated corneas can restore sight. Grafts of donated skin can help burn patients heal.
A single organ donor can save as many as eight lives, and many more lives benefit from tissue donation. It is an opportunity to help others. The organ transplant waiting list is always long, and people die while waiting for an organ.
Living donors can donate a kidney or a portion of their liver to a friend or family member and continue to live a normal life with few restrictions.
The number of patients waiting for organs changes every day, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. As of September, more than 103,000 patients were on the national transplant waiting list. Every eight seconds, another person joins the list, the agency said.
Organ donation can be a rewarding and positive experience. You can be a hero and save lives. I only wish I was able to be a donor. But I can continue to spread the message, and I can still feel like I am helping in a small way. Be a hero if you are able to, and save lives.
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