ORGAN DONATION: THE GIFT OF LIFE
Doctor’s declared that Martin Wayne Lennox would not survive three days after his birth on January 17, 1965. Having just informed his parents that their newborn son had a hole that engulfed 50 percent of his heart, the doctors said it would be a miracle if he lived. The small infant held on with what little strength he possessed and overcame the odds. Martin continued to grow and, with each doctor’s visit, his parents were told he had a very slim chance of overcoming his illness. When the infant was four months old, doctors took a main artery out of his right arm and used it to connect his heart to his lungs. He matured through the age of seven. When he outgrew the temporary repair to his weak heart, he again underwent surgery. He then began to lead as normal a life as possible with his condition. In 1986, he encountered a setback that sent him into critical condition; his home caught fire and smoke inhalation caused his lungs to fill with blood. He was rushed to the University of Missouri Medical Center for treatment. They began to pump his lungs and prepare him for surgery. Soon, they found that scar tissue would make it impossible to continue. Martin was in desperate need of a …show more content…
Preservation for a kidney can be up to 72 hours while a heart can only be preserved for five to eight (Landesman). Currently, when an organ becomes available, many factors are reviewed to find the most suitable receiver: blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, geographical location, and length of time on the waiting list. First, the local waiting list is reviewed for these elements. If no one is in need at the local level, it is reviewed at the regional level. (Regions may be several cities, counties, or states). Again, if no one is located at this level, it is taken to the national level (UNOS “Organ
Doctor’s declared that Martin Wayne Lennox would not survive three days after his birth on January 17, 1965. Having just informed his parents that their newborn son had a hole that engulfed 50 percent of his heart, the doctors said it would be a miracle if he lived. The small infant held on with what little strength he possessed and overcame the odds. Martin continued to grow and, with each doctor’s visit, his parents were told he had a very slim chance of overcoming his illness. When the infant was four months old, doctors took a main artery out of his right arm and used it to connect his heart to his lungs. He matured through the age of seven. When he outgrew the temporary repair to his weak heart, he again underwent surgery. He then began to lead as normal a life as possible with his condition. In 1986, he encountered a setback that sent him into critical condition; his home caught fire and smoke inhalation caused his lungs to fill with blood. He was rushed to the University of Missouri Medical Center for treatment. They began to pump his lungs and prepare him for surgery. Soon, they found that scar tissue would make it impossible to continue. Martin was in desperate need of a …show more content…
Preservation for a kidney can be up to 72 hours while a heart can only be preserved for five to eight (Landesman). Currently, when an organ becomes available, many factors are reviewed to find the most suitable receiver: blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, geographical location, and length of time on the waiting list. First, the local waiting list is reviewed for these elements. If no one is in need at the local level, it is reviewed at the regional level. (Regions may be several cities, counties, or states). Again, if no one is located at this level, it is taken to the national level (UNOS “Organ