No one likes to think about the subject of organ donation. It means contemplating your own mortality, which is kind of scary. But death is a natural part of life and happens to each one of us. Unfortunately, we cannot usually choose when and how we die. Which is one of the reasons organ donation became a part of our culture. Many deaths occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Bodies that die still contain healthy organs that can be transplanted into living people who are gravely ill. Depending on your beliefs, you could help someone else once you no longer need your organs.

Perhaps you have considered organ donation, but have been hesitant about registering as an organ donor. Perhaps you are confused about what actually happens and what it means to be a donor. You're definitely not alone if you have questions and concerns about the whole subject.

According to a recent survey, only 38% of licensed drivers are signed up to donate organs (the most common method for registering), though 72% said they actually wanted to be organ donors. It seems that fears about organ donation are getting in the way of people registering. Over half of all the
people surveyed believed that it is possible for a person to recover from brain death. And a whopping 50% believed that a doctor would not try as hard to save their lives if the doctor knew they were an organ donor. Another 44% believe that there is a black market where people buy and sell donor organs.

It is a shame that these misconceptions exist. According to recent statistics, there are more than 100,000 Americans waiting for donor organs and tissue, and 18 die every day for lack of available organs -- many of whom are young and just starting out in life."There is a real crisis taking place with regards to organ availability in this country, and dispelling commonly held misperceptions and increasing the public's trust of the donation and transplant system is paramount when it comes
to solving it," said Sara Pace Jones, the chairwoman of Donate Life -- an organization in the U.S. that registers donors.

She explained that many people get their knowledge of organ donation from TV shows. But she cautions that most shows have serious time constraints. Usually the stories have the doctor who is performing treatment on a patient also manage organ donation. In real life, this does not
happen. The doctor who is trying to save a patient has nothing to do with organizing and finding a donor recipient if that patient happens to die. This process is done by separate organizations. Doctors who treat critically ill patients are not thinking about who could use the patient's organs -- they are directing all their energies into saving that patient.

If you have questions about organ donation, there are a number of legitimate organizations that will take the time to provide honest, factual answers for you.

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