MGHSMarquette General Health System Home Page

For medical emergencies in Marquette County, dial 911

 
Organ & Tissue Donation
>> The Story of Brian
>> The Need is Critical
>> Responding to the Fears
>> Discussing Donations
>> The Donor Registry
>> Advance Directive
>> Home Page

>> Welcome to MGHS
>> Baby Page
>> Clinic Information
>> E-mail Patients
>> Employment
>> Marquette General Foundation
>> Health Information
>> Laboratory
>> On Line Bill Payments
>> On Line Registration
>> Patient Feedback
>> MGHS News
>> Poison Guide
>> Physician Employment
>> Physician Page
>> Internet Search
>> Search MGHS Site

  Free CarePages
 

Responding to the Fears


Who can become a donor?
Anyone who has died can become a donor, if the family grants permission.
Can I change my mind?
Yes.  Most importantly simply tell you family.  Then change your documents and send a letter to the Gift of Life Donor Registry indicating your wishes.
What organs can be donated?
Kidneys, heart, lungs, liver and pancreas.
What tissues can be donated?
Corneas, whole eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and saphenous veins.
How is death determined?
In the past, death was declared only when the heart stopped beating.  Advancements in medical technology now allow death to be determined by measuring brain function.  When brain activity has totally ceased, breathing and heart function can no longer continue independently and the individual is dead.

Now there are respirator machines which can temporarily allow the heart and lungs to continue functioning in a brain-dead individual.  These machines have helped make organ donation possible.

Strict medical criteria have been established to define brain death.  The condition is always determined by physicians who do not participate in organ procurement or transplantation.

To insure viability of the internal organs such as heart, lung, liver,pancreas and kidneys, individuals without brain function must be maintained on a respirator.  Donation of eyes, bone, skin and other tissues does not require maintenance on a respirator.

Does donation leave the body disfigured?    Can there be an open casket?
Donation neither disfigures the body nor changes the way it looks in a casket.  A highly skilled surgical team will remove the organs and tissues in the hospital, leaving the body intact for burial arrangements.
Are there any costs to my family for donation?
No.  Donation costs nothing to the donor's family is responsible for regular hospital charges not involved with the donation, and the donor's funeral arrangements.
Will my religion approve of donation?
Most major religions approve of donation and consider it a Gift, an act of charity.  However, if in doubt talk to your spiritual leader.
Could a conflict between saving my life and using my organs for a transplant exist?
Never.  Organ and tissue recovery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been legally declared.  Entirely different medical teams are called to recover organs and tissue, they are never the same personnel working to save your life.


For further information contact the Gift of Life Agency at
1-800-482-4881
2203 Platt Road * Ann Arbor, MI 48104


   
Patient Rooms Direct Dialing - (906) 225-3(Room#).
Room #'s: 233-245, 374-390, 501-527, & 601-827

  
Joint Commission Accredited

Joint Commission
Accredited

Top of Page

 

 The Many Caring Hands of Marquette General Hospital
(906) 228-9440
Marquette General Health System - 580 W. College Ave. - Marquette, MI 49855

Telephoning a Patient  |  FREE Valet Parking  | Text Page

Site Disclaimer | Link Policy | Web Site Privacy Statement

http://www.mgh.org

We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the Health On the Net Foundation

Copyright © Marquette General Health System