Donating organs

In the past 50 years, doctors have transplanted organs into the ailing bodies of individuals who would have died without the transplant. And despite medical advances, the need for organ donors still exists.

More than 87,000 Americans are waiting for organ transplants, among them nearly 1,700 in eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois and Arkansas.

On average, people spend more than 500 days waiting for the organs they need. And 17 of them die every day during the wait.

But there are ways to eliminate the long wait and help another person. Becoming an organ donor is fairly simple. Signing the back of your driver's license and letting your relatives know your intentions are critical.

Organs aren't harvested until a neurosurgeon declares a person is brain dead.

Only about 1 percent of the people who agree to be organ donors have usable organs after their death. Communicable disease and other factors like high blood pressure can eliminate a person's organs from the transplant pool.

Living donors need to be in generally good health, physically fit and free from cancer, lung or heart disease. The majority of organ donors are between 21 and 55 years old.

Choosing to become an organ donor isn't a decision that should be made lightly. Talk to relatives about your decision and know options are available that can save lives.