Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G 3 MYTH: I have to be in good health to donate my organs. FACT: "In the overwhelming majority of cases, previous health history does not preclude organ donation," says Trey Schwab, Outreach Coordinator with University of Wisconsin Organ and Tissue Donation. "Age is not an automatic rule-out, either—everyone from select newborns to those age 70 and beyond can donate most organs, and you can donate corneas up to age 100." MYTH: If you agree to be an organ donor, your family will have a greater financial burden in the event of your passing. FACT: There is no cost to the donor's family or estate for organ and tissue donation. MYTH: There are plenty of people who are organ donors—you don't need me. FACT: "In Wisconsin, we currently have 2,200 people waiting on an organ transplant," Schwab says. "Nationally, there are more than 120,000 people on the waiting list. About 18 people die in the United States every day waiting on an organ transplant. The need in our state alone is great for all organs able to be donated, including the heart, pancreas, lungs, liver, intestines, and especially kidneys." ANY JOLT, BLOW, or bump to the head can cause a concussion, a form of traumatic brain injury. Untreated concussions can cause long-lasting, permanent damage—especially within the still- developing brains of teens—and high school athletes are more likely than college athletes to have concussions that go untreated. SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION INCLUDE: ✳ Confusion or feelings of haziness ✳ Difficulty paying attention or focusing ✳ Dizziness and balance problems ✳ Headache ✳ Loss of consciousness ✳ Nausea and vomiting ✳ Sensitivity to light Whether hit by another player, knocked against a hard surface, or whacked with a piece of equipment, any athlete with a head injury should be evaluated for a concussion. If you are present when the incident occurs, remove your child from activity and seek attention from a healthcare professional experienced in recognizing and treating concussion. "If a child has another concussion before the first is fully healed, that is a medical emergency," says Mike Erickson, DPT, MS, LAT, Physical Therapist with St. Joseph's Hospital. "Known as second impact syndrome, this condition can lead to swelling and bleeding in the brain—and even death." MYTH VS. FACT: ORGAN DONATION THERE ARE MANY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE. WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD'S HEAD RECOGNIZING A CONCUSSION IN YOUR YOUNG ATHLETE CAN HELP PREVENT PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE AND EVEN DEATH. Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital are proud to support the Wisconsin Organ Donor Registry. To learn more about organ donation or to join the Wisconsin Organ Donor Registry, visit YesIWillWisconsin.com. To schedule a concussion education session for an individual or group, call the Concussion Management Center at the Rehabilitation Center at St. Joseph's by dialing 715.717.7455. OUT OF THE GAME

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