What is a Tissue Donation?
Tissue donation is a life-saving or healing procedure that helps tens of thousands of people each year to live happier, healthier, and fuller lives. Many different types of tissues can be donated and transplanted to improve and save lives. From tendons and bones to heart valves and corneas, tissue donation can provide healing to many parts of the body and hope to the soul.
Tendons/Bones
Cancerous tumors, infection, and trauma can break down bones and tendons, leaving a person unable to walk and at risk of amputation. Tissue donation provides the opportunity to save a patient's limbs or heal an injury. Whether they've suffered an accident or have a debilitating disease, tissue donation can help to restore a person's body so they can heal quickly and move freely again.
Veins/Arteries
People with diabetes, blocked veins and other ailments rely on tissue donation to repair damaged blood vessels and improve blood flow. Often, this can make the difference between a saved limb and an amputated arm or leg. Donated tissue can also help people who need coronary artery bypass surgery, a very common procedure that saves thousands of lives each year.
Heart
A damaged heart valve is a serious condition. Thanks to tissue donation, heart valves can be replaced to greatly improve a person's lifespan. When a recipient is young, a replaced heart valve will grow with them, which reduces their need for surgeries as they age.
Skin
Severe burns and trauma require tissue donation to repair injuries and protect the body from infection. This promotes healing and greatly improves a patient's outcome. Donated skin is also a part of cleft palate repair in babies and mastectomy reconstruction for women who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Corneas
Corneal blindness and trauma to the eye can leave a person without sight. Each year, successful corneal transplants allow tens of thousands of people to regain sight and hope. Without tissue donation, this would not be possible.
The Benefits of Tissue Donation
The demand for tissue donation remains very high. When a person suffers from a serious accident that results in severe burns, broken bones, torn ligaments, and other life-altering conditions, tissue donation can greatly improve their quality of life and, in many cases, allow them to live a long, happy life. Tissue donation eliminates the need for unnecessary suffering, long waits, and subpar medical alternatives. More than 1.5 million Americans receive a tissue donation graft each year!
Who Pays for Tissue Donation?
There is no cost to donate tissues at the end of life. All costs are incurred by the organ and tissue recovery organization, which is reimbursed by tissue processors who prepare the donated gifts of tissue for surgeons.
See how Tissue Donation can Make a Difference in Someone's Life
The impact of tissue donation cannot be overstated. For those who have experienced traumatic accidents or debilitating diseases, tissue donation offers a lifeline to improved health and enhanced quality of life. Whether it is tendons and bones that need repair, damaged blood vessels that require restoration, or a damaged heart valve that needs replacement, tissue donation steps in to provide healing and hope.
Gift of Life Michigan wants you to know that signing up on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry also registers you as a tissue and eye donor. It is a quick and straightforward process that you can complete online today and takes less than five minutes.
See how a small action now can make a positive impact for years to come. Sign up as an organ, eye and tissue donor today.