Pediatric Donor: How to Talk to Kids About Organ Donor?

organ donor John Magee C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll organ transplant

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Oct 22, 12:39 pm

In terms of organ and tissue donation, it can be more challenging and difficult to start a such conversation especially if it's between the parent and the child. Kids are still not familiar specifically with donating organs. However, Donor Alliance says that it's very important for parents to start a conversation at an early age so kids would know such a crucial matter.

Organ donation and transplantation are basically removing an organ from one person and placing it surgically onto another recipient whose organ has unfortunately failed. Such organs may include the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart. In the United States, 21 individuals die while waiting for an organ, and more than 107,380 are men and women.

Regardless of age, individuals should consider themselves as potential donors as when people die, they would be evaluated for donor suitability based on medical history and age. Also, the organ procurement organization specifies medical suitability for any donation. John Magee, M.D., section head of transplant surgery and surgical director of Pediatric Liver & Kidney Transplantation, added that families must first consent to donate such organs.

"Organ donation should be a norm for everyone"

In terms of organ and tissue donation, it can be more challenging to start such a conversation, especially between the parent and child. Kids are not familiar with donating organs. Donor Alliance stated that it's essential for parents to start a conversation at an early age so kids would know such a crucial matter.

Organ donation and transplantation are removing an organ from one person and placing it surgically onto another recipient whose organ has unfortunately failed. Such organs may include the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart.

Regardless of age, individuals should consider themselves as potential donors. People would be evaluated for donor suitability based on medical history and age when they die. Also, the organ procurement organization specifies medical suitability for any donation. Dr. John Magee, section head of transplant surgery and surgical director of Pediatric Liver & Kidney Transplantation, added that families must first consent to donate such organs.

"Organ donation should be a norm for everyone"

The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health surveyed 2,005 parents and determined that only 17 percent of those kids ages 14 and younger are interested in learning more about pediatric organ donation. A good reason to narrow that gap is that more than 2,000 juveniles in the United States are on an organ transplant waiting list, even though pediatric donors surpass recipients. Many minors wait longer than adults for a transplant due to the need for an organ of a specific size.

Parents should eliminate the common misconception and teach young ones that every effort is made to save lives, noting that transplant teams play no role in treatment before death. Magee added that although the conversation appears to be difficult due to common misconceptions, "organ donation should be a norm for everyone" as it is the good that comes from an inconceivable tragedy.

Moreover, a kid's primary care doctor usually does not approach the family regarding the topic of donation and discuss it thoroughly. It is important for the conversation to continue to avoid any misconceptions about organ donation, regardless of age. The surgical director emphasized that the survey needs more education so people would understand and almost all kids would live a long and healthy life, per Health Blog.

Explaining organ and tissue donation to kids

Kids need to understand the real essence of donation as it is truly life-saving, especially at a young age. Also, donation not only saves one's life but also gives a beacon of hope to others. Discussing such things needs to emphasize two factors: sharing life making organ transplants conceivable and generosity.

Children, including teens, need to know the impacts of organ and tissue donation, even though it may sound intimidating, as many are hesitant to talk about severe illnesses and death, especially with children. Nevertheless, Donate Life California suggests highlighting the true meaning of life when tackling things such as organ donations.