According to the American Medical Association (AMA), there are more than 55,000 people in the United States waiting for life-saving organs. More than 4,000 people will die this year waiting for an organ transplant. These statistics can easily be avoided by becoming an organ donor. The problem is that not enough people are becoming organ donors; even if they want to, they are not making their decision known to family or friends. Donating vital organs, without a doubt, saves numerous lives. The number of organ transplants performed in 1994 reached and all time high while the number of organ donors remained the same (Perry). This is evidence that the need for organ donors is on the rise.
             Organ donation is one way for anyone to help save lives of others. It is something that does not take a lot of effort. Here are a few simple steps to becoming an organ donor: sign an organ donor card, have a relative sign the card, keep the card in your wallet, make your wishes known to your family members, and discuss your views with your family physician. These are all ways to ensure that your wishes to become an organ donor will be met. Approximately 93% of family members said that they would donate a deceased's organs if they knew that was what the deceased would have wanted (Perry). These numbers are astonishing and prove, without a doubt, that making your wishes known is key in organ donation.
             There are many myths that are associated with organ donation. One myth is that if you choose to be a donor every effort to save your life will not be made. This is untrue because organ donation is not something that is discussed until after the doctor has signed a death certificate. Another myth is that donors are taken off life-support in order to reap their organs. This is also untrue. A doctor takes the life support off even if they are brain dead and have no chance for recovery. If they are organ donors the life support machines are only k...