Compassion rules the decision for many who give up an organ

[okarol]

Compassion rules the decision for many who give up an organ to provide someone else with a chance to live

By Angie Hutschreider
angieh@newstribune.com
Oct 4 2007

Living donation typically is initiated by the donor, although sometimes it is prompted by a needy recipient who is a family member or friend.

Jan Finn, chief operating officer of Midwest Transplant, said the process to become a living donor can be quite lengthy.

The process begins with meetings and lab work, where interested donors are tested for numerous conditions. Testing also ensures the donor is physically fit and includes psychological screenings.

“The kidneys, lungs, liver, a dental exam - and, for women, a gynecological exam - are performed, so the tests are quite inclusive and broad,” Finn said.

Diseases of organs and high blood pressure will exclude a person from donating.

The donor incurs costs that Finn said typically are health insurance co-pays and deductibles for testing peformed before the transplant.

“The donor incurs all costs before the transplant, simply because the potential donor may go through most of the steps to donate and then be determined to be unfit,” she said.

The recipient's insurance or other means of pay is used to cover the cost for the donor's surgery in most cases.

When considering living donation, there are long-term affects for the donor to think through.

The donor may wonder what affects the donation itself will have on work, from time off needed to recover, obtaining health and life insurance, and even the possibility of risks associated with pregnancies following the donation.

Missouri law says living donors are entitled to a paid leave of absence after having donated. State employees are allowed 30 days paid leave after a donation, and are allowed five days paid leave for donating bone marrow.

The ability to get health and life insurance following a living donation typically is not restricted by most companies. Some people, however, have had problems changing insurance carriers after donation because of higher premiums, pre-existing conditions or waiting periods.

It is recommended that donors speak with a financial counselor and social worker at the transplant center to determine if the donation will affect their health or life insurance coverage.

Some women who are living donors question their ability to have a healthy pregnancy following their donation. Studies show kidney donation does not affect the completion of a safe pregnancy and childbirth.

It is recommended, however, that the prospective mother wait six months following her donation and talk with her obstetrician and family physician about the decision to have children following a donation.

Donors and recipients typically do not meet for at least a year following the procedure, if they meet at all. Both parties are allowed to write letters through Midwest Transplant.

Although Midwest also will help facilitate the exchange of donor and recipient information after both parties sign a waiver, Finn said the firm is required to wait a year to exchange the personal information.

“Frequently, people may wish to meet one another following the transplant,” Finn said. “But that is a very emotional and vulnerable time, so we find it best to have them wait until they have had a chance to think it through.”

If both parties agree to meet, Midwest will not serve as facilitator. Finn said the company's role in helping the donor and recipient meet ends with the organization giving the parties the information needed to contact one another.

Finn estimates fewer than 25 percent of people who request information about living donation make it through the process.

“Some are just calling to request information, some are excluded because of their health, some just did not realize what went into it,” she said, noting there are roughly six living donations arranged through Midwest annually.

“The number of people that are, at the very least, interested in being a living donor tends to increase as media coverage increases, then it drops off again.”

Any type of organ donation, Finn said, takes great compassion and thought. However, she feels people willing to give the gift of life while offering a vital part of their health are extraordinary people.

“It takes a special person to be a living donor,” she said. “I think it is usually a person who has already been touched by donation. This is more than just a giving person, it is very noble of them to consider a person's life beyond their own.

“Living donation - any organ donation - is one of the greatest gifts a person can give. It is giving someone the gift of life and giving their families - their wife, son, grandfather or other loved ones - a second chance at life.”

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2007/10/04/news_local/089local00organ2.txt