Organ Donation

[Lady Pi Phi]

The morbid thread on funeral arrangments has prompted me to ask...

would you donate your organs?
Why or why not?

I am not an organ donor. I cannot donate my organs because I am a diabetic. I also cannot give blood because of this.
If I wasn't a diabetic I think I would be an organ donor though. I mean, if I'm dead I certainly don't need my organs. If they are healthy, why not give them to someone who needs them.

[rainbowbrightCS]

I am.

[AUDeltaGam]

I'm a organ donor.

[Sister Havana]

I am an organ donor too. I figure if I'm not going to need them, why not give them to someone who does?

[Roseblum15]

I agree with everyone else, I am an organ donor just because I doubt I will need them if I'm dead.

[Rudey]

No. I do not believe in the desecration of my body.

-Rudey
--And it's way waaaay creepy thinking about it

[Tippiechick]

Lady Pi Phi,

I, too, am a diabetic... I would both donate blood and my organs if I could. My husband says he "makes up for the not giving blood part" by donating blood on a very regular schedule. :)

[honeychile]

I give blood on a regular basis, but am not an organ donater. It's hard for me to explain, but I'm not exactly proud of my stance.

[Tom Earp]

Yepper, on My Drivers License and in ,my will!

Rudey, you are the only one who thinks your body is a Temple!:eek:

Bad eyes, liver like a rock, pancreas also another matter, lungs well!

But can be used what the hell, why not!:)

[dzsaigirl]

Yes, I am an organ donor. And my personal stance on it is that if I would accept an organ, I should be willing to give one. Of course, for people who absolutely cannot donate for health reasons, that would not apply.

[The1calledTKE]

I am a organ donor too. Can't take your body to heaven so might as well help someone still on earth.

[valkyrie]

I'm an organ donor.

[Jill1228]

What he said!
Funny my family (mom, sister, et al) was not too happy about my decision.

They have this weird notion that if G-d forbid something happens, and they see I am an organ donor, they will not work as hard to save my life :rolleyes:

But hell, I ain't gonna need my organs after I am dead, so they might as well be useful to someone on Earth

Originally posted by The1calledTKE
I am a organ donor too. Can't take your body to heaven so might as well help someone still on earth.

[Kevin]

If you've ever met someone that's alive today because of organ donation... well.. I mean, how couldn't you?

[AOcutiePi4ever]

i'm an organ donor.
not to sound mean, but i think its useless (and selfish) to keep your organs after death if you are otherwise able to donate them.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by ktsnake
If you've ever met someone that's alive today because of organ donation... well.. I mean, how couldn't you?

Religion.

-Rudey
--Plus it's creepy

[sugar and spice]

I am.

[GeekyPenguin]

I'm an organ donor, but I don't know that too many of mine will be useable. I hope they use them for medical nonsense if they aren't good for transplants.

Also, in case y'all didn't know, there are many religions that do not permit this.

[Honeykiss1974]

I am an organ donor. :)

[honeychile]

Originally posted by dzsaigirl
Yes, I am an organ donor. And my personal stance on it is that if I would accept an organ, I should be willing to give one. Of course, for people who absolutely cannot donate for health reasons, that would not apply.

I agree. That's why I have implicit instructions that I would not accept an organ under any circumstances.

[James]

I donate sperm on a regular basis, does that count?

[dakareng]

Donating blood or bone marrow would be much more impressive.

[Honeykiss1974]

PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR!

Just giving this a quick bump because I just found out today that a friend of mine has died. Allan was only 20, had a girlfriend and like everyone one of us, had much to live for, but died while waiting on a lung (He had CF).

Allan is the second young adult I've known within these last 3 years to die waiting on an organ.

So if you aren't, consider becoming one. Shoot, you can't take it with you.

[CUGreekgirl]

Sorry to hear about Allan :( My prayers go out to all his friends and family.



I am an organ donor and have been since the age of 16. Unlike many of my friends I didn't decide to do it b/c you get a cheaper license, I did it b/c I'd like to help someone out after I'm gone. I had firmly stated though, that I only want my organs to go to people who need them. I don't want any of my organs to go to science.

[Lindz928]

I actually donated blood today. :)

I want to be an organ donor, but these days they don't even ask you about that when you get your drivers lisence right? At least, they didn't ask me. I thought I heard something about having to actually have it written in your will for them to be able to take your organs. Does anyone know about this? Until I find out for sure, I just tell my family that if something were to happen to me, this is what I would want.

I completely understand health reasons for not doing it.

I also understand to a certain extent people who are very spiritual and their religion prohibits it. I was under the impression that Judaism prohibited such things because of the rule against desecration of the body. But when I searched, I found this article.... I don't know how accurate it is, but I found it interesting. Maybe there is a Jewish GCer out there who can shed more light on it.

http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/religion/shalomarticle.html

[BetteDavisEyes]

Originally posted by dzsaigirl
Yes, I am an organ donor. And my personal stance on it is that if I would accept an organ, I should be willing to give one. Of course, for people who absolutely cannot donate for health reasons, that would not apply.


Co-sign! :)

I also donate blood & am on the list for bone marrow should it be needed.

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by CUGreekgirl
Unlike many of my friends I didn't decide to do it b/c you get a cheaper license, Really? I've never heard of that. How much of a discount do you get?

[WCUgirl]

Originally posted by Lindz928
I thought I heard something about having to actually have it written in your will for them to be able to take your organs. Does anyone know about this? Pretty much. Even if you are designated as an organ donor on your license, the hospitals still have to have written consent from a spouse or a family member before they'll take your organs.

So, if I decide that I don't want Mr. AXiD670's organs donated, even though it says he is an organ donor on his driver's license, I can prevent them from taking his organs.

[gpb1874]

i don't know that it necessarily needs to be in your will. after all, that thing is usually read after you're dead, which won't do any good. now, if you tell your family about it, then that's good. doctors MUST have permission from your next of kin in order to remove organs for transplant or medical use, just like they get permission to perform surgery or anything else.

make sure your family knows your wishes and is willing to follow through. i do want to donate my organs, but my DH does not want to donate his. he thinks it's creepy too. so, as long as he is willing to tell the dr's my wishes, we are all good. if not, i will come back and haunt him forever.:D

[WCUgirl]

Well, not a will. A living will or a power of attorney, I guess.

I didn't see anyone else bring this up in the previous posts (although I did only skim), but I know I'm not the only one who has heard this and is curious about it.

I dated a paramedic a few years back, and he used to tell me NOT to be an organ donor. He told that if he arrived at the scene of an accident, if the vic was designated as an organ donor, there is a point where they will determine that if the injury is critical enough, they won't try as hard to save the person as they have to start worrying about harvesting the organs, versus someone who is not an organ donor when they will still continue the life-saving effort. Is this true?

(Yep, I see Jill mentioned that. It would be one thing to come up with that theory on my own, but it's entirely another when I heard it from the mouth of a paramedic. Though he was a jackass....)

I've looked for this on snopes but the only thing a search for "organ donor" brought up was about the tourists waking up in a bathtub full of ice, lol.

[sugar and spice]

Originally posted by AXiD670


I dated a paramedic a few years back, and he used to tell me NOT to be an organ donor. He told that if he arrived at the scene of an accident, if the vic was designated as an organ donor, there is a point where they will determine that if the injury is critical enough, they won't try as hard to save the person as they have to start worrying about harvesting the organs, versus someone who is not an organ donor when they will still continue the life-saving effort. Is this true?


The most recent posts kind of cancel that theory out, I would guess. If they need a living will or a relative's permission in order to use your organs, they're not going to decide whether or not to save you just from looking at your driver's license.

[JennRN]

Originally posted by AXiD670

I dated a paramedic a few years back, and he used to tell me NOT to be an organ donor. He told that if he arrived at the scene of an accident, if the vic was designated as an organ donor, there is a point where they will determine that if the injury is critical enough, they won't try as hard to save the person as they have to start worrying about harvesting the organs, versus someone who is not an organ donor when they will still continue the life-saving effort. Is this true?



Actually, if we know a person is an organ donor, we have to work harder to keep them "alive" while harvesting organs-if that person is brain dead, you have to work really hard to keep their body functioning to keep blood flow to all the organs. It's a really intensive process that requires alot of coordination between the MD's, the organ procurement service, and the nurses. The patient becomes a one to one-meaning the nurse taking care of him only has them as their patient, because they get so busy with them-there's a ton of work involved.

I'm a donor. You'd be surprised what can be used from people, even when they've passed away from really severe diseases.

[WCUgirl]

Well, like I said...he was a jackass.... :p

[alphaxikt]

on the subject of organ donation, I was behind a car the other day with a bumper sticker that said "Don't take your organs to heaven with you... Heaven knows we need them here!"

[KSUViolet06]

I'm a donor. Why not give them up? They'll be of no use to me when I die.

[honeychile]

One of the things I have written consent to donate is my eyes. There is a congenital eye disease in my family, and the Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore needs the eyes of those in families such as mine, in order to do research. So, I'm still not a true donor (in death), but if examining my eyes will save someone from disease, that's wonderful!

So... that's a new wrinkle: would it bother you to be a donor, and have your organs used not to keep someone else alive, but for research?


ETA: My eyes are only to be harvested by someone from the Wilmer, or who knows what they need.

[bruinaphi]

I give blood every 8 weeks and am trying to get on the bone marrow registry but there isn't a place close by me where I can register (don't even get me started on this topic).

In California they changed our Donor cards recently so that they conform with the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. We now have the following choices.

A __ Donate any of organs, tissue or parts
B __ Donate a pacemaker (date implanted ___)
C __ Donate parts, tissues, or organs listed ____
D __ Donate my entire body
E __ Transplantation __ Medical Research __ Both
F __ Not donate any organs, parts, tissues or pacemaker

Then you have to sign & date and have it witnessed. You also have to check a box saying you've discussed it with affected parties.

My friends and family are all aware of my choice. My stepmother was my witness. I chose to donate my entire body for either transplantation or medical research. I figure anything I can do to help others after death by donating my body will be more than I can do in the ground.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by bruinaphi
I give blood every 8 weeks and am trying to get on the bone marrow registry but there isn't a place close by me where I can register (don't even get me started on this topic).

In California they changed our Donor cards recently so that they conform with the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. We now have the following choices.

A __ Donate any of organs, tissue or parts
B __ Donate a pacemaker (date implanted ___)
C __ Donate parts, tissues, or organs listed ____
D __ Donate my entire body
E __ Transplantation __ Medical Research __ Both
F __ Not donate any organs, parts, tissues or pacemaker

Then you have to sign & date and have it witnessed. You also have to check a box saying you've discussed it with affected parties.

My friends and family are all aware of my choice. My stepmother was my witness. I chose to donate my entire body for either transplantation or medical research. I figure anything I can do to help others after death by donating my body will be more than I can do in the ground.
That's really good that they make it so easy! My family has a series of Living Wills that would tie up a courtroom for months (since all but two are different!).

[Honeykiss1974]

Thanks CUGreekgirl and everyone else for prayers. What ticks me off is that not only did Allan die waiting for an organ, but because he had no health insurance, it meant him never being put on the waiting list to start.

You see, Allan had Cystic Fibrosis and this lung transplant would have "cured" him - giving him a 60% survival rate. Alan had no health insurance, so he was dependant upon Medicaid, which denied payment to cover the procedure, calling a 60% chance of survival a "poor outcome considering the cost of the surgery, which was $400,000.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Thanks CUGreekgirl and everyone else for prayers. What ticks me off is that not only did Allan die waiting for an organ, but because he had no health insurance, it meant him never being put on the waiting list to start.

You see, Allan had Cystic Fibrosis and this lung transplant would have "cured" him - giving him a 60% survival rate. Alan had no health insurance, so he was dependant upon Medicaid, which denied payment to cover the procedure, calling a 60% chance of survival a "poor outcome considering the cost of the surgery, which was $400,000.
Oh, Honeykiss, that's just obscene!!! I know people who are on Medicaid who were artificially inseminated (as if that's a top priority!) - Allan should have had priority over people like that!!

The concept of governmental medicine scares the spit out of me!!

[CUGreekgirl]

Really? I've never heard of that. How much of a discount do you get?

I think normal licenses are in the $15-20 range and with organ donation I think I paid $8.

[ZTABullwinkle]

Let me echo those words earlier mentioned....TELL YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS if you want your organs donated! I have seen cases where a patient's license listed them as an organ donor, but the decision was overruled by their parents/significant other/etc. So, let those close to you know that you would like to donate your organs.

As a paramedic, I can say that I never looked at someone's license to see if they were an organ donor or not. It was my job to treat the patient, not to make a decision on should I/shouldn't I based on their license.


I am an organ donor. After one of my close friends from high school died in a car accident, and his parents donated his organs....I signed my organ donor card.

Go to http://www.lifenet.org/ for more info about organ donation!

[James]

I would hate to be in a "persistant vegitative state" and then be harvested . . . just before I may have come out of it.

There are cases where people that everyone thought were gone did come back . . but that would be difficult once they cut you apart.

[AznSAE]

this is very difficult for me to decide. i know that once you die, you wont need your organs anymore. but just the thought of it creeps me out. i am currently not a donor.

[AchtungBaby80]

Originally posted by honeychile
Oh, Honeykiss, that's just obscene!!! I know people who are on Medicaid who were artificially inseminated (as if that's a top priority!) - Allan should have had priority over people like that!!

The concept of governmental medicine scares the spit out of me!!

I agree. This makes me so friggin' angry--some people can get aid to pay for unnecessary $hit like that while others can't afford to have medical procedures to save their own lives?!?! It's sickening, it really is. That's one thing that I really wish would change--everyone in this country deserves health care, not just the rich ones or ones who can somehow beat the system.

When my boyfriend had a heart transplant as a kid, his parents had health insurance for him through his dad's company but the insurance people tried to drop them--and only them--because they were costing too much. :mad: Luckily his dad was in a high enough position to get it worked out, but I think it's really horrible that we have come to such a point that an insurance company would want to drop a 13-year-old kid's health insurance because he was unlucky enough to have to have an operation like that.

[RioLambdaAlum]

My roommate had a heart - lung, and kidney transplant all before the age of 18...first one was at age of 13

[honeychile]

Originally posted by James
I would hate to be in a "persistant vegitative state" and then be harvested . . . just before I may have come out of it.

There are cases where people that everyone thought were gone did come back . . but that would be difficult once they cut you apart.
That weirds me out, too.

[aabby757]

Let me clarify some misinformation posted here regarding cystic fibrosis and lung transplants.

First, when you are on the transplant list and have CF, you receive two lungs. One wouldn't do anything because the CF would simply jump from the old lung to the new lung and infect the new lung.

Also, when you're "up" for a transplant, because organs are so hard to get, you basically have about ONE YEAR to live if you didn't get the lungs.

Also, the 60% survival rate is for a 5 year life span. And about 80% for the first year.

After that, you could and probably will have complications, like lymphoma, infection, etc.

The good news about lung transplants with CF patients is you are somewhat "cured" of the CF and the bacteria B. cepacia which is a HUGE problem in CF patients, but after 5 years often times you are almost back to square one.

[Honeykiss1974]

So, what is the odds that makes a person worthy of a transplant? 100% survival rate for a certain number of years? Or maybe 90%, 80% 70%? No one knows how long they have on this earth - even the perfectly healthy. 5 years is a lot of time so someone facing death - ask any cancer patient.

Regardless as to how dismal the odds are, people deserve a chance at life. I agree with honeychile, its scary to think that the extention of your life or the level of care you may receive is dependant upon some statistical parameters.

I guess if life insurance companies can do it, who says health care companies can't. :(

[FHwku]

i'm an organ donor. i won't be needing them anymore when i'm dead, so someone might as well put them to good use.

i'm also an organ donor because in Kentucky, Ashley Judd has a poster or a carboard cut out of herself in courthouses and state buildings promoting organ donation. she's so pretty, i was like, "sure, ashley judd."

[SigK_Bama]

Originally posted by JennRN
Actually, if we know a person is an organ donor, we have to work harder to keep them "alive" while harvesting organs-if that person is brain dead, you have to work really hard to keep their body functioning to keep blood flow to all the organs. It's a really intensive process that requires alot of coordination between the MD's, the organ procurement service, and the nurses. The patient becomes a one to one-meaning the nurse taking care of him only has them as their patient, because they get so busy with them-there's a ton of work involved.

I'm a donor. You'd be surprised what can be used from people, even when they've passed away from really severe diseases.

Thank you, JennRN. Doctors most certainly will not stop trying to save you if you are an organ donor. My mom worked for five years at our state's donor services organization and went to the schools to educate kids on organ donation. She dispelled that myth constantly.

I am an organ donor, but not a tissue donor (eyes, bones, etc). I've known organ donors and organ recipients and I am a firm believer that it's one of the best choices you can make, if you so choose.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Due to my eye problems lately, I might need a cornea transplant. In order for me to have that procedure, someone healthy would have to die and donate his or her corneas. It makes me sad just thinking about that. It is more of a quality of life situation for me rather than something necessary for my life like a lung or liver.

My doctors and I are doing everything to preserve my corneas and avoid a transplant. We won't know for certain how my corneas will fare from all these treatments. They might repair themselves, but it could take until June 2007 to know for sure.

[gpb1874]

Originally posted by James
I would hate to be in a "persistant vegitative state" and then be harvested . . . just before I may have come out of it.

There are cases where people that everyone thought were gone did come back . . but that would be difficult once they cut you apart.

it's not about being in vegetative state.

only when you are brain dead will they harvest. this means that your body cannot function...no heartbeat, no breathing, no nothing. doesn't mean you are just in a coma or have brain damage. terry schiavo was not brain dead, there was severe brain damage that affected her bodily functions (like not being able to eat), but her heart and lungs were working on their own.

there are multiple tests that have to be in order to prove the person is in fact brain dead and multiple doctors have to agree. the organ donation coordinators (i can only think of UNOS at the moment) has every reason to make sure a person has no chance of "coming out of a coma." they have to or they will face stinging criticism from many different sides if they just decided to take organs from someone who just might not make it.

you can check out unos at www.unos.org (united network for organ sharing) for more info.

[squirrely girl]

i'm all about organ donation - talked it over with everybody in my family too! i think it's just selfish not to...

- marissa

[tunatartare]

bumping this to go along with the blood type thread

I'm not an organ donor. Not sure how I feel about it. Also I don't know if I would be eligible because of my heart surgery.

[SOPi_Jawbreaker]

I just added the organ donor thing when I renewed my driver's license earlier this year.

[KSUViolet06]

I'm an organ donor. My organs will be of no use to me when I'm dead, but they can mean life or death to someone else. I'm all for it.

[jon1856]

I am ( or would be or will be) a organ donor.
While still here, I am a platele and blood donor

[RioLambdaAlum]

I should be, but I'm not. My roommate has had a heart, double lung, and kidney transplant.

[phisigduchesscv]

I am listed on the CA DMV website for being an organ donor. Since I've got my driver's license I have always marked I want to be an organ donor. Also my family knows I wish to be a donor if anything happens. Please speak with your family if you wish to be an organ donor. In some states the family can still override the wishes of someone who has indicated they want to be a donor.

One of my good friends is a recipient of a donor kidney. She got it last year and is doing great.

Phi Sigma Sigma was just a sponsor of the transplant games this past couple of weeks. If you go to the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation website some sisters and members of the Foundation kept a daily blog from the games. Some of the stories about donor families and recipients families just had me crying. I think I may have copied and pasted one of the blogs in to the Phi Sigma Sigma forum on greekchat.

Save a life - be an organ donor. Depending on the organ and your condition you won't need the organs anymore

Carolyn

[Drolefille]

I was an organ donor, and I guess I still am under Illinois' old registry but I need to sign up for their new one.

Under the new registry it's a binding contract. If I sign up, the decision is not left up to my next of kin. People think that on one hand this will take some of the pressure off of the family. It's a difficult decision to make after/while suffering a loss. On the other, it helps make sure that the wishes of the deceased are followed. Many people signed up on the registry only to have their next of kin change their minds.

[PhoenixAzul]

When I renewed my DL to an adult DL, I signed up for organ donation. I'm type 1 diabetic as well. I am a firm believer in blood donation as well, but Central Blood Bank will not let me donate since the medication I take for my diabetes makes me give a false HepC positive (yeah, that phone call was weird.."yea you test positive on the rapid test, but you don't have it"...meanwhile I was in tears thinking I was dying).

Seriously, I'm dead. What good are my organs? Theyre just going to rot in the ground (more creepy than someone else having them, in my opinion). I know lots of people who need kidneys, livers, lungs, hearts...and if I can give a family a few more years with someone they love, then I'd love to do that. I don't want to be burried, I think it is a waste of land and I don twant people to come to a stone and cry about it. My hope is that I'll be cremated, my ashes spread somewhere in a ceremony, and rather than a headstone, have someone donate the money that would go to a funeral to a good cause, and maybe put up a wee plaque. That's it. That's all I want.

And I'm glad someone else saw the "Don't take your organs to heaven.." sticker.

[fuzzie]

I am an organ recipient. My transplant was just about a month and a half ago. I was lucky enough to have a living donor. My mom was a perfect match and was willing to do it. I am also an organ donor. Later on I may need a cadveric kidney to replace the one I just got if it fails. I feel organ donation is important and have been a donor since I got my first driver's license at 16. You just never know when the person who needs the organ may be you or someone you know.

[tunatartare]

I am an organ recipient. My transplant was just about a month and a half ago. I was lucky enough to have a living donor. My mom was a perfect match and was willing to do it. I am also an organ donor. Later on I may need a cadveric kidney to replace the one I just got if it fails. I feel organ donation is important and have been a donor since I got my first driver's license at 16. You just never know when the person who needs the organ may be you or someone you know.
Congratulations to you for having someone close to you that was a perfect match and on a succesful transplant!

[AlphaFrog]

I doubt there could be much truth to the paramedics not working as hard to save organ donors. If they're trying to save your life, they aren't going to stop and fish around for you wallet/Driver's license. That's like people saying to "ICE" your cell phone. It's a great theory, and I guess it could work if someone found you randomly unconscious and not in medical danger, but if you're in an emergency, the paras aren't going to stop and figure out how your cell phone works (because they're all different).

I am an organ donor, and I believe all or almost all of my family is. I haven't talked about it with my husband (though I suppose I should) but I'm pretty sure that he would want his organs donated to someone/somewhere in Mexico if possible.

[KSigkid]

I am an organ recipient. My transplant was just about a month and a half ago. I was lucky enough to have a living donor. My mom was a perfect match and was willing to do it. I am also an organ donor. Later on I may need a cadveric kidney to replace the one I just got if it fails. I feel organ donation is important and have been a donor since I got my first driver's license at 16. You just never know when the person who needs the organ may be you or someone you know.

Congratulations on your transplant; it really is amazing what they're able to do these days in the world of medicine.

[Scandia]

I registered for organ donation and will willingly donate all my organs if I die.

[christiangirl]

Forgive me for not reading the rest of the replies, I'm sleepy, I'll read them tomorrow.

I'm an organ donor. Hey, I'm not going to need them anymore, right? Give someone else a second chance at life and I wouldn't mind a few pieces of me living on somewhere.

[VAgirl18]

I'm an organ donor. Went to renew my license yesterday and was asked if I still wanted to be a donor. I responded with an emphatic "yes!"

While I sat and waited to be called, an elderly lady was sitting next to me and stared down at the clipboard with my renewal application and old license. At first I was a little upset that she was staring at my person information, but she looked at me and thanked me for being an organ donor. Definitely made my day.

[Drolefille]

Never heard that, and I'd be shocked if a doctor or nurse truly acted in such a manner.

And the big problem is that you may wish to be a donor, but your parents or husband or kids could prevent it. I don't like that. Hence why I'm glad about Illinois' new program.