Potential organ donors are slipping away, and with them, slip away the hopes of countless people and families.

- James Redford

GET THE FACTS ABOUT TRANSPLANTATION AND ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION.

Visit the Interactive Body from Gift of a Lifetime.

Despite the widespread awareness of donor cards, there is a serious gap between number of transplants needed and number of donors available. Part of the reason for this points to people not sharing their decision to be a donor with their family. It also points to the proliferation of many myths about donation.

The following are some facts and myths about organ and tissue donation. Get involved. Print this out and take it to your school. Share it with your family and friends.

Myth: A man went to a party and woke up the next morning in a bathtub full of ice. One of his kidneys is stolen for sale on the black market.

Fact: There is no documented case of this ever happening. First, it is illegal to buy and sell organs in the United States. Second, due to the complexity of transplantation, piracy is practically impossible. The process of matching donors with recipients, the need for highly skilled medical professionals to perform the surgery, and the need for modern medical facilities and support necessary for transplantation make it highly unlikely that this system could be duplicated in secrecy.

Myth: Rich and famous people get moved to the top of the waiting list, while "regular" people have to wait a long time for a transplant.

Fact: Our national organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth or social status. The length of time it takes to receive a transplant is governed by many factors, including blood and tissue type, length of time on the waiting list, severity of illness and other medical criteria. Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered.

Myth: Many people have legitimate religious reasons not to donate.

Fact: All major religions approve of donation. All major religions support the decision to donate, typically considering it a generous act that is the individual's choice.

Myth: If someone is in an accident and the hospital knows they want to be a donor, the doctors won't try to save their life.

Fact: The medical team treating you is separate from the transplant team. The transplant team is not notified until all lifesaving efforts have failed and death has been determined and your family has consented to donation.

Myth: A donor's family has to pay additional expenses.

Fact: A donor's family is nevercharged for donation.

GET MORE FACTS ON ORGAN DONATION