DAYTON — An increased number of fatal drug overdoses has created more opportunities for people in need of organ transplants, according to new data from Life Connection of Ohio.
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In the first half of 2017, nearly half of organ donations cases handled by Life Connection of Ohio have been from drug overdoses, according to Stephanie Burianek, Hospital Services Liaison for Life Connection of Ohio, the non-profit organization that facilitates some organ donations in Ohio. The State of Ohio as a whole in 2017 has seen a 32 percent increase in organ donations from drug-related cases, a nearly 150 percent increase from 2016.
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“It’s mesmerizing how big the heroin epidemic is and what we’re seeing with organ donation,” Burianek said. “It’s an increase for us, but definitely they’re doing good. It is still helping people, still giving people a second chance.”
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Burianek said a recipient and their family is notified that the organ they are receiving has an increased risk, but said most are willing to take the chance.
“Someone who has been doing heroin is not a rule out for organ donation. Everything is tested, everything is looked at. The risk [for transmission] is so low, there is more of a risk for someone to pass while on a waiting list than to receive an infection from an organ.”
“The family and recipient are aware the organ is an increased risk, but they are willing to take that chance; they want that second chance.”
