Although organ donation is designed to benefit the recipient, studies have shown beneficial results on the donor's behalf as well. Quality of life in terms of general health, vitality, and mental health has been reported to be substantially higher in organ donors after donation.
8 In addition, many donors have reported experiencing psychological benefits, including a lasting increase in self-esteem resulting from the knowledge of saving a loved one's life.
18 Donation often is an opportunity for exceptional experience, personal development, and an opportunity to distinguish oneself.
3 However, these beneficial results should not be one's primary motivation for donation.
Whereas familial donors donate based on a relative's need and sickness, anonymous donors usually donate as an extension of their beliefs and lifestyle. For many anonymous donors, donation is an extension of an already altruistic and philanthropic life.
2 Unrelated donor candidates have been found to be statistically significantly more likely than related donor candidates to be registered organ donors.
19 One study
2 found that anonymous donors viewed donation as an integral part of their spiritual belief system and also were more likely to donate blood, volunteer extensively, and be registered bone marrow donors. Henderson et al
2 noted the most common motivation for anonymous donors was improving the quality of life for another individual. For example, one anonymous donor said, “I don't care who gets my kidney, family, friends or stranger.... God doesn't have a club. God's works are for everyone.”
7 Many unrelated donors also experience an increase in self-esteem after organ donation, particularly because no obligation exists.
20
However, anonymous donors' motivations are not always the most altruistic. Anonymous donors often feel that donation will be a method to repay society.
2 Some donors are more likely to use the donation as a method to seek attention, or make a statement against their family.
2 An altruistic donation should be solely for the recipient's benefit. In instances in which they donate to seek attention or to make a statement to their family, anonymous donors are donating for their own benefit and own self-esteem rather than for the recipient's improved quality of life. Contributing to society can be altruistic if societal contribution is the end goal of donation. However, contributing to society is rarely the end goal of anonymous donors. Rather, it is secondary to anonymous donors' goal to increase their own self worth or self-esteem. Thus, one can argue that anonymous donors, while not exposed to the same coercion as familial donation, often donate for their own benefit rather than the recipient's benefit.
This would not be the case with friendship donation. True friendships would prevent one individual from donation solely so that he or she makes a contribution to society or repaid debt. Individuals are donating to someone they know deeply instead of donating to society in general. The deep and rich nature of a complete friendship would not allow the possibility of donating for society's benefit.
True friendships provide ample opportunities for altruistic acts for each other. Organ donation is an extension of these acts, and another opportunity to help one's friend in a time of need. Instead of feeling the necessity to “pay someone back,” or “return the favor,” friendship exists because of a sphere of mutuality, allowing for a foundation of altruism.
17 The very nature of friendship is a perfect foundation for altruistic acts and philanthropy.