There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to transplants and organ donations, but the truth is the majority of the information spread around is false. Unfortunately, this prevents people from donating, and lowers the amount of people that can be saved. Some common myths are:

Myth: the hospital won’t try as hard to save your life

• They are only focused on saving your life not someone else's who needs a transplant

Myth: maybe your not dead when they sign the death certificate

• There are many tests that organ donors run to ensure that you are dead

  • More test than non organ donors

Myth: organ donation is against your religion

• Many religions accept organ donations

  • Catholicism

  • Islam

  • Buddhism

  • Most of Judaism

  • Most of Protestant

Myth: you can’t be an organ donor if you are under 18 years old

• Many states allow minors to be organ donors

  • Allowed with parental consent

Myth: organ donors can’t have an open-casket funeral

• The donor bodies are treated carefully and with respect

• No one can see if someone donated organs or not

Myth: your too old to donate, so no one wants your organs

• There is no cut off age to be an organ donor

• It is based on the health of your organs not your age

• The healthcare team decides whether your organs can be used or not

Myth: your not in the best health, so no one wants your organs

• Only a few medical conditions interfere with being able to donate organs

• Not all organs can be used but some can

• The healthcare team decides whether your organs can be used or not

Myth: you can only donate your kidneys to family members not strangers

• You can donate to a stranger or someone you know

• Can also donate parts of your lung and liver

• There are risks to being a living donor

• They have to make sure that they can use the organ and it won’t damage your health

Myth: rich/famous people go to the top of the list

• They are treated the same as everyone else

• Computer system and strict rules makes it fair

Myth: your family will be charged for donating organs

• Family of organ donors don’t pay and money

• They only pay the money to save your life before the donations are made