Evidently, the luau was complete with tiki torches, a limbo contest and skanky, wrinkled grannies in bikini tops and grass skirts. It's true, then, like the flashback that occurs to a man on his deathbed, we are fated to return to the revelry of our college years once we have grown old. As young, vital collegians, we don't like to think about our bodies giving out on us. The United Network for Organ Sharing reports that, as of Jan. 6, almost 74,000 people are currently waiting for life-saving transplants. Even though many of us have signed the backs of our drivers licenses, the most we know about donation is from the myth about the organ pirates who pack their victims in a bathtub full of ice, having stolen their kidneys for sale on the black market.
Organ donation can, however, have astounding results.
As a result of their transplants, these people were given the opportunity to fully experience long and productive lives. We can't wait until death to make this gift of ultimate generosity, though. Even if your wishes are documented in your will or drivers license, state law mandates that, upon death, your body becomes property of your next of kin. This is neither a fun nor easy question to ask a grieving family, whose instinct is to hold on to you in any way they can. As a result, a significant number of potential and willing donors are buried with healthy hearts, lungs and livers.