General
Donate Life Myths
Updated April 8, 2025
in General
What common things do you hear that people do not understand about organ donation?
On the support group call tonight we had great discussion around all the myths, and I would love to hear what you have heard so that we can advocate to stop the myths around organ donation.
1 - 8 of 8 Replies
When I first went public about my need for a kidney, my inner circle was absolutely shocked to learn that the wait time for a kidney in my home state of NY was 5-7 years. My friends seemed to think there were ample cadaver organs practically waiting to be handed out by the National Waiting List.
If I get in a car accident, they will not provide me with any medical interventions because they just want to take my organs
"I am too old. "
I had my Kidney transplant at age 77 was on the waiting list 3 months at NYU
At one point, my dad thought getting a transplant was as simple as going to the grocery store. He was like I just don’t understand why they won’t help you. My family was totally clueless about the process and was not willing to learn about it. All they wanted to know was when will I get better.
A common myth that I have heard about living donation is similar to what people have said in this thread, folks are surprised about how long the wait time is.
Some people think that once you sign your license at the local DMV that you are an organ donor but that it takes more than just signing/agreeing to be a donor on your license.
some people have believed that doctors wont save your life if your in an accident just to harvest your organs..not true.
Same with me, shocked by wait time. People not involved do not understand how complicated the donation process is. Also they think any organ can be transplanted into anyone. I was offered 5 livers before the “right” one was found. And of course, “if I get into an accident and they find out I am a donor, “they” won’t save me”. I get that one a lot.
Transplant Patient
I believe one myth is that the surgery itself cures the condition and you walk out fully normal and back to where you before your illness. SOT is a condition that you live with for as long as you have a functioning graft.
Transplant Patient
Our conversation yesterday reminded me so much of this webinar we did a while back with Donate Life Hollywood.
A lot of the myths I hear are around thinking it looks like it does on TV, or similar to what Karin said about how we just bounce back and are fine.