Karen Martin was diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease when she was a young adult. As a result of her condition, Martin was facing potential blindness. Thanks to organ donation, Martin was able to regain her sight when she received corneal transplants, three total to date.
A gift beyond measure; Martin sees the benefits of organ donation
By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com
In 2018, organ donation saved the lives of over 36,500 people including the 6,900 organ and tissue donations from living donors.
“Organ and tissue donation is a gift that saves and heals thousands of lives each year,” Natalie Oakes, Professional Outreach Coordinator at the Iowa Donor Network.
“It offers a second chance at life, a chance to move forward for the recipient as well as provides comfort and solace to the families of donors as their loved ones leave a lasting legacy of healing,” Oakes explained. “Every 10 minutes, a new person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list and an average of 20 people die each day while waiting for a donor. It is a gift beyond measure.”
While one of the greatest accomplishments of modern medicine and saving lives around the world, the need for organs and tissue is vastly greater than the number available for transplant.
There are currently over 113 thousand people on the national organ waiting list, 605 in Iowa.
“One donor can save up to eight lives through donation, as well as save and heal more than 200 people through tissue donation,” said Oakes. “So far this year, we have been able to help 27 people through organ donation and 78 through tissue donation. That’s just the first three months of 2019.”
“The gift you receive through donation is truly immeasurable,” said Karen Martin of Fayette who has been on the receiving end of corneal transplants three times now. “Vision is so important, and I would be blind without the transplants. I feel truly blessed.”
