Being an organ donor is a big decision for many people for a variety of reasons, but ultimately, it's a decision that can save lives and build a better future. Just one very simple question at the DMV and you could, in the case of a serious accident, save someone’s life or contribute to the education of future medical professionals.
When I was first asked if I wanted to be an organ donor, I didn’t want to say “yes.” On my driving permit, I was not an organ donor. It freaked me out to think about my body parts being donated. After I left the DMV, I discovered that both of my parents were organ donors. After thinking about it, I decided to say 'yes' and finally receive the red heart on my driver’s license.
For many people, after-death is difficult to think about. Many cultures and religions prefer that loved ones handle death in a specific way, making it difficult to be an organ donor. Although it can be a hard choice to make, the amount of people that can be helped by one person choosing to be an organ donor can be very convincing for those who are undecided, as it was for me. There are many misconceptions about organ donation that can be cleared up with a small amount of research about the exact meaning of the red heart in your state. You can also simply ask the DMV for details.
Over that past few years, I have really gained an appreciation for the opportunity to be an organ donor. My perspective on the entire decision really shifted when I became a pre-medicine student. My education in many future classes will rely on people who have opted to become organ donors but whose organs could not be transplanted. Experience with cadavers is very important in education for future medical professionals.
Although I wasn’t sure at first about being an organ donor, I’ve come to the realization that if I were to die today, I would want that to help someone else in need. As I work towards becoming a doctor, I realize more and more that I want to help other people. For those of you like me, being an organ donor is a really good way to help someone else, if the worst-case scenario does actually happen.
When I was asked for the first time, “Would you like to be an organ donor?,” it didn’t feel like such a big decision. It was just one question at the DMV, more signatures, and one red heart on my license. I think that more people should know the significance of answering 'yes' and becoming a donor. If everyone chose to be an organ donor, there would be many more life-saving transplants and much shorter of a wait for those who need them. Answering 'yes' doesn’t guarantee you will ever be one, but the opportunity to potentially help someone is why I choose to be an organ donor.
