1. Blood donation is the most common form of organ donation as blood is a fluid organ.

2. It is possible to transplant approximately 25 different organs and tissues including bone and cartilage, vein, skin, heart valves, middle ear bones, Bone Marrow, corneas (eyes), hearts, heart-lung. Kidney, liver, lung and pancreas.

3. Acceptable organ donors can range from a newborn to a senior citizen.

4. Organ Donors are people in good health who have died suddenly, possibly through accidents or brain hemorrhage and have been declared "Brain Dead". In this situation the brain function has permanently ceased but the heart and lungs continue to function with the use of artificial life supports.

5. Coma is a state of unconsciousness that occurs because the brain is injured in some way. The brain still functions and this can be seen in the tests that are performed. The person will be able to breathe on his own without the help of a respirator. The brain, in fact, may heal. Brain death is the complete stoppage of brain function without possibility of recovery.

6. With advances in medical technology it is possible to transport organs hundreds or even thousands of miles to a patient in another hospital for transplantation. The normal preservation times for different organs are as follows:

ORGAN PRESERVATION TIME Lungs 4 to 6 hours Heart 4 to 6 hours Heart-Lung 4 to 6 hours Liver 12 to 24 hours Kidney 48 to 72 hours

7. An individual can express his/her wish to be an organ donor by signing a "DONOR CARD". However medical personnel will ask the next-of-kin for permission to donate. Hence it is important to convey your wishes to your family members so that your wish may be   honoured.

8. "DONOR CARDS" may be obtained from the office of "MOHAN FOUNDATION", AA-147 Jayam  Building, Annanagar, Chennai-600 040. Tel: 26207000 .Two witnesses should sign the card along  with you. The DONOR CARD works also as your identity card in case of an emergency, hence carry it in your purse all the time.

9. In India the passing of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act has made buying and selling of organs an illegal and a punishable offence.

10. All the major religions of the world favour organ donation.

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