Question about organ donation.
I’m just curious if there is a minimum or maximum age for dying patients to become organ donors. Can an infant do it? A 60 year old?
46-50, F
katielass · F
Any age as long as the donated organ is viable and well, meaning not diseased. Of course if the donor is under age the parents or guardian would have to give consent. They can harvest most any part of the body. Skin can be used to graft the skin of burn victims. Corneas to help people see. It's one of the most wonderful things one can do because you might save someone's life or make their life better.
NataliaT · F
@katielass Well put. I sadly know two mothers who lost healthy teenage sons in accidents, consented to organ donations, and get a deep sense of purpose, amidst the tragedy, that, in a strange way, their sons live on, having given life or improved the quality of life, for several other humans.
katielass · F
@NataliaT I'm sorry for their loss but as you said the feeling that you've turned a tragedy into something beautiful is overwhelming. That must make the loss a little easier to accept and live with. As a nurse it is required by law that we ask about donating the body and it's really hard to do. You kind of feel like a heel for bringing it up when they've just lost a loved one. Of course, I'm speaking of patients who pass in the ER. When they are admitted that is learned upon admission or shortly after.
dentope3 · M
can always do it. even if your organs aren't usable there is always a need for skin
NiftyWhite · 46-50, F
@dentope3 well the skin is also an organ.
dentope3 · M
@NiftyWhite yes and is always needed
ImperialAerosolKidFromEP · 51-55, M
I don't think they look at age for suitability, but the ethics/legality of an infant doing it might be an issue and probably changes from jurisdiction to jurisdiction