Benefits

Depending on your beliefs, the benefits of organ donating can outweigh the cons:

   * Helps grieving families: When a loved one dies, most families will want to do everything they can to help the grieving process. Knowing that the corneas or heart of the person who just died will help another see or even live can be very comforting. They receive some peace knowing that something positive has come out of the death.

   * New lease on life: For those receiving the organs, these transplants can mean a second chance at life. For some, it means being able to see, while for others, it can mean actually being able to live.

   * Better quality of life: Individuals who are dependent on kidney dialysis and receive a kidney transplant can return to living a regular lifestyle without machines.

   * Cost effective: Some organ transplants can be less expensive in the long run than continuing medical care, specifically in the case of kidney transplants.

   * Social responsibility: Many individuals feel it is their social responsibility to help others survive or live normal lives.