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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[GSDgirl]

Thank You very much for the prompt answer.  I knew we couldn't donate blood, I don't think my arms could take another huge needle anyway, but wasn't sure about the organs.  

Denise

I answered here so the other thread could be buried

[jmjm530]

NY: I still don't understand why we can't give blood but we can donate organs
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From the other thread:

"The logic is probably something like this. Blood is more readily available than organs so it's probably easier to just refuse blood from those with HCV so as not to infect others. In the case of organs, I assume at some point in the process these organs are designated as HCV positive organs and therefore the potential recepients and doctors can make an informed decision prior to transplant. Perhaps Mike has more info on this."

But the bottom line, logic or not, is that we CAN donate organs and the organs donated by us are badly needed and are more than appreciated by the recipients whose lives can be saved

-- Jim

[nygirl7]

I've been on this forum for about 5 years and for 5 years had been lead to believe we could not.  I had always been a donor as are both of my children.

I still don't understand why we can't give blood but we can donate organs but who am I to figure anything like that out. Especially if it were to somebody who had chronic hep and wasn't treating and was the same geno. OH well.

It's sometimes good to find out you are WRONG.