Yes, We Can Donate Organs Even If We Have Hep C.

[jmjm530]

This topic has come up from time to time, yet still the confusion exists.

As an important topic that could potentially save lives, I hought maybe the correct answer deserved it's own thread title as sometimes the correct answer gets buried within a thread that not everyone takes the time to read.

So again, anyone with Hepatitis C -- acute or chronic -- can be an organ donor. What we cannot do is to donate blood. An entirely different topic.

Here's an article that Mike Simon just posted in a current thread on same topic:

"...Some people think that having hepatitis means that they can't be an organ donor. This is a myth. People can still be an organ donor and have acute or even chronic hepatitis.

Organ donation is a tremendous act of kindness, and there is a great need for organ donors of all ages. In fact, there is no age limit. Even if your liver isn't in good enough shape for donation, perhaps other organs and tissues could be used by someone else.

Here are examples of organs, in addition to the liver, that can be used: heart, intestines, kidneys, lungs and pancreas. In addition, certain tissues can also be used: bones, corneas, sclerae, tendons and certain veins.

There are, however, diseases that will prevent organ donation. Examples of two relatively common diseases include being HIV positive and having actively spreading cancer."


From: http://hepatitis.about.com/od/questions/f/OrganDonor.htm

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[mikesimon]

It's really true.
We can be donors if we are HCV positive.
Let the doctors determine whether your organs are suitable for transplantation.
Be an organ donor.
Check the box on your driver license application or let your loved ones know you want to donate your organs.
Thanks.
Mike

[meakea]

I'm glad you brought this subject up.  I guess I had never seen anything on this subject before so, going with the thinking that organs have blood and blood has Hep C, it seemed like a no brainer.

I was actually late in renewing my DL last month.  I should have done it months ago but I didn't realize it had expired.  When I realized it, I quickly went to the DOT and, their question about organ donor took me by surprise (cuz I hadn't thought about that issue) and all I could do was to tell them to take it off based on my own ignorance.

My family is aware of my wishes so, yes, it's all okay.

I am going to discuss it with my doc next time too as sort of a test to see if he's knows the correct answer.

[meakea]

Thanks again, Mike!

[Bill1954]

Another option to simply telling our families our wishes about end of life scenarios is to fill out an Advance Health Care Directive. These simple forms vary from state to sate, but are readily available for free download (or nominal fee) from the internet. Here’s an example of California’s directive:

http://www.ilrg.com/forms/states/ca-medicaldirective.html

For other state forms, just enter Advance Health Care Directive + your state into a search engine.

This form will allow you to give family written instructions regarding your health care *only* in the event you can no longer speak for yourself. It might take a big burden off loved ones; think about it.

Bill

[R Glass]

They have very little time between Harvesting the Organs and Transplanting them. Is there anyway information such as HCV-SVR could be added? It seems to me this would help speed up the process and would also open the door to more recipients. Or is this information already on record? Glad the subject was brought up. I am still a Donor only because I never thought about it. I am glad I never did now.

[JennyPenny]

Something I did not see mentioned here, but I only skimmed, is that HCV organs can be transplanted into HCV patients. In fact studies have been done on transplant recipients that have received HCV positive livers and they do just as well as those who get HCV neg livers. The number 1 reason for needing a lever transpant is hep C, so don't waste those HCV positive livers....be a donor!