The Medical Minute: Myths and misconceptions about organ donation

Eighteen people die each day because of a lack of healthy organs available for donation. Every 10 minutes, another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list, because the supply just isn't able to meet the demand.

Many people who would otherwise be willing to donate choose not to due to a variety of myths about becoming an organ donor.

Dr. John Stene, a Penn State Hershey critical care specialist, addresses some of these common misconceptions in this week's Project Health segment.

Two of the most common? That older people can't become organ donors, and that organ donation could cost your family or estate a lot of money. The reality is that there is no age limit for organ donation and no cost to an organ donor's family.

Learn more by visiting the Project Health web page, or sign up to become an organ donor today.

The Medical Minute is a weekly health news feature brought to you by Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Articles feature the expertise of Penn State Hershey faculty physicians and staff, and are designed to offer timely, relevant health information of interest to a broad audience.

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