But only 4,000 to 5,000 livers are donated each year. Oklahoma hospitals are working hard to increase the number of organs donated so that more lives can be saved. For example, the hospitals call the Oklahoma Organ Sharing Network on every death to check to see if the patient would be a good donor. If donation is appropriate, the organ recovery coordinator talks with the family. The nurses have learned that the grieving family needs time to accept that their loved one has died before facing the decision about donation.
Transplants are medical miracles.
But the whole process depends on the generosity of grieving families. Even if the patient has checked the organ donor box on his or her driver's license, the family must give permission. When you finish reading this column, talk to your family. Ask how they feel about organ donation, and tell them how you feel. The allocation of donated organs is a hot topic in Congress right now.