ORGAN DONATION

April 2001
		What does it mean to be an organ donor? Deputy Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu responds to your questions and comments.

Forum introduction How old is too old to be a donor? How do I find out about a specific donation? Can I be a living donor? What are the costs incurred by the family? I wish someone had asked me. Is it dangerous to be an organ donor? A message from a recipient Online Special: Organ Donation Return to the NewsHour's coverage of health	Dana Drum Kepple of Alexandria, VA asks: How may I find out who received my father's tissue donations? It will be three years May 16, and I have attempted to wait until I have been more "rational" on this subject. It will always be charged with emotion, but I would like to know how my father's death contributed to someone's life. Thank you for your time, and I am sorry that you had to go through your tragedies to become someone who could help so many others. Donating my father's tissues is the most comforting thing I have ever done in my dealing with my father's death. I am so glad to know that he did not die in vain. Please pass that on. SO COMFORTING. Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu responds: The sharing of recipient as well as donor information varies from program to program. I suggest you contact the local organ procurement organization that handled your father's donation, and express your desire for this information.