Organ Doners!

[Calzaer]

Ok, folks! Of the people who have driver's liscences, who checked the little "I wanna give my guts to strangers if I die" box? I just got done talking to my family about it over the break, and I just got into a funny "let's compare opinions!" mode.

So, thoughts?

Mine: Take my guts. I won't care. I'll be dead. In fact, you can really do whatever you want with my body when I'm dead. Remove my innards. Have perverse sexual relations with me. Turn me into Purina Ferret Chow and ship me to Zimbabwe. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that I'll have bigger worries at the moment, or no worries at all. Either way, I won't care. On the other hand, there's a guy or gal who might like a working (if slightly abused) liver and therefore probably DOES care... so there ya go.

[FaerieGothMommy]

I've always planned on being an organ doner, once i die i don't need my organs, our body is just a shell, we don't need our bodies once we die, so i'd love to save someone elses life! BUT... I can't :( I had Hepatitis B as a baby, and now, they won't even touch my organs! I can never give blood either!

[WynnJera]

I have Epilepsy and on braclet is says I am an organ donor and at this time my husband has been in in heart failure for almost 2 years, and on a heart transplant list for a year and a half so we know the importance of giving the gift of life. 5 year is the span of time someone in heart failure can hang on so we are crossing our fingers a match comes soon :)

PS great thread :)

[13thChylde]

I'm a donor! It's also stated in my living will.

[Noressa]

Nope, nope nope. Though kudos to those that do. It may be an urban legend, but it's one I've bought into. That if you only have a certain percentage, they won't work as hard to save you... *shivers* So nope. :)

[13thChylde]

Certain percentage of what?

[Noressa]

Percentage of survival. 10% of making it out of the coma, etc...

[Athena-Nadine]

Yes, and everyone who could possibly have any say in my possible medical treatment knows it. I also have a living will that covers over 200 scenarios that I am not to be recussitated from, or am to be disconeected from life support because of. My parents have copies of that too and it's filed with the courts.

[~ Monk ~]

I'm a donor. :)

[WynnJera]

Noressa did you know that you can be something called a living donor ... you guys do not have to be dead to donate .... you can donate a Kidney ... if you knew you could save someone close to you cuz you matched them ... you would not help them ???? Yes some organs like my hubby's heart have to be taken from someone dead but I have never heard at least not in Canada of them not doing everyting to save someone 1st before them donating .... and even though I have made it clear I am an organ donor ... after I am dead my hubby can refuse ... so they have to do everything to save me .... I told his if he did that I would come back and haunt his @ss though :lol: .... the choice is up to eash person but I rather save 1 life than become worn food ....

[Aidron]

I am currently an organ donor. However, when I get my new license for my name change I plan on saying no.

I have a very low opinion of people as a whole, so I'm not sharing anything of mine with someone who is potentially a jackass. :lol:

[Calzaer]

I have a very low opinion of people as a whole, so I'm not sharing anything of mine with someone who is potentially a jackass.
Hey, fair enough!

[Fairywolf]

I am an organ doner :lol:

[Hoot]

I am, or rather, I will be if the need arises for anything that's "usable" upon my death. It's on my DL, my family knows, etc... I'm also on the blood marrow donor program, which looks for matches and is done while you're alive.

[CloakofStars9]

def a donor!

i used to get in fights with my ex over this topic, because he didnt believe in it :rolleyes:
i just dont see the point in wasting perfectly good organs when you don't need them anymore

but thats just me

[*GrumpButt*]

Yep

[Caliburn]

No, I'm not a doner, but I would most certainly become one if a loved one was in need.

[FaerieGothMommy]

def a donor!

i used to get in fights with my ex over this topic, because he didnt believe in it :rolleyes:
i just dont see the point in wasting perfectly good organs when you don't need them anymore

but thats just me

:lol: so do me & my bf! Even though i can't be a donar, i really really wish i could! My bf on the other hand, says when he dies, no one is allowed to touch his organs, because they are HIS! And he won't ever give blood either...
It really annoys.... but ah well, not everyone agrees with it!

[Rua]

I was going to donate my organs but recently found out I'm HIV possitive so now no one can use my organs.

[Noressa]

Eep! I hope that things turn out well for you, regardless. :)

[kewlhippiechick]

I'm not going to be using anything from my body when I finally make that trip to the Summerlands, and if it helps another live on...why not? My hubby knows and my kid knows.

[Chibi-Fallon]

I plan on giving up the organs. And as far as that "the paramedics won't save me crap". That's just dumb logic. First of all they (doctors and paramedics) don't really *care* that much, I don't think. Unless their kid is the first on the list or something. Otherwise what do they really care? It's not like they're gonna let someone they don't know die, just so someone else they don't know can get their organs. It doesn't make any sense.
It's like the 80's HIV in the theater seats thing.

[Semele]

BUT... I can't :( I had Hepatitis B as a baby, and now, they won't even touch my organs! I can never give blood either!

Actually that's not true. You can still donate tissue which is very helpful to burn victims.

I am a card carrying organ donor and my family knows my wishes along with all my coworkers. When mol and I first got toether he was against organ donation and it drove me absolutely insane trying to discuss it with him. He has since changed his mind. His only fear now is that I will pull the plug on him. He has a phobia that there will be a situation where he is on life support and we pull the plug just before the "cure" to his problem is found. I think he is mostly joking around but he still carries on about it at times. My mom was asking me about her advanced directive the other day and saying she wanted to put me down as her health care proxy and Mol said he wanted to put in his that I can never ever make decisions about him because I will kill him off! :lol:

All joking aside I have seen too many people benefit from organ donation to ever consider not giving anything I could when i am leaving. I consider it like leaving a good tip after a nice meal. I have had a great life so let me leave this as a gesture so that someone else may have a great life even if it is just a little longer.

[Semele]

I was going to donate my organs but recently found out I'm HIV possitive so now no one can use my organs.
Have you considered donating your body to science as an alternative? There is always a use for your body if you really want to put it to use. I think I would like to donate what they can harvest then donate the rest to science that way many people benefit from my body.

To those who are afraid the caregivers will give up too soon, I just have to say that from personal experience when you have a patient that is an organ donor you try very hard not to be the one who is on duty when the decision is made to let them go. It is a very tedious process getting a body ready for a harvest and believe me, most caregivers would rather keep them alive and with a hope of survival then mess with the hassle of a harvest. Several phone calls have to be made, a ton of paperwork, the vent settings have to be maintained at just the right level and the body at the right temperature..lots of trouble I assure you. If you have faith in anything, it should be the fact that the caregivers want to provide the best care for the patient to keep them alive and well..if for no other reason then the paperwork is a pain!

[Jenne]

I have to agree here with Semele. My hubby is in the medical profession, and at no point did he ever mention that the organ donors were treated worse or not worked on as hard because they wanted their organs.

As for me, yes, I'm a donor. As is my husband. I just agree with the logic that I don't need the parts anymore, and someone still living may. *shrug* Just makes sense to give them away to those who can use them!

[Kalika]

I'm an organ donor, and I agree w/ the original post. I'm dead... I don't need them anymore. If they're good, then someone else should be able to benefit. (hopefully!)

[Calzaer]

I just consider it to be the ultimate act of recycling! :)

[pawnman]

I am a donor, but I have heard that the survival rates for donors vs non-donors during the ambulance ride is troubling. Doesn't the hospital doing the harvesting get paid by the hospital doing the transplant or something? Eh. I'm still a donor. When it's time to go, it's time to go, whether at the hands of paramedics or a car crash or plain ol' old age. I'm not using the organs, might as well let someone else see if they can use'em.

[Calyx]

Both my husband and I are donors. I have converted him! They can have anything they want of me that's still workable. I am about to become a bone marrow donor too, but I am very scared about this. Any advice?

[Autumn]

Look folks, keeping you alive and keeping your organs in good shape for harvest are nearly the same goal...I cannot imagine any EMT working less hard to save you just because you signed that card...to donate everything you have to not be hypoxic, therefore they will keep you ventalated and circulating for as long as possible, and that is also conducive to your survival long term, live and donate your organs another day, but please...

"don't take your organs to heaven, Heaven knows we need them here...."

I am going to snopes this out...

[Psyche Ague]

No, because I don't have my license yet. *hangs head in shame*

I would love to be a donor though.

[Koehnae]

I voted yes. I have talked to my family about it, but I worry that they won't follow through with my wishes if necessary. My mom thinks its "creepy," but I try to explain that if my death can save another's life... then why wouldn't I do it? Its not like I need the organs anymore.

[asamananara]

Nope. Sorry, folks, but I think the medical practices in
our culture are way off the mark. I would no sooner allow
my body to be harvested and recycled than I would accept
an organ to save my own life. I have an absolute conviction
in the sanctity of divine providence, and harbor no fear
of death. The body is the womb of the spirit, and is not
mine to offer... nor is the body of another mine to save.
I have a "do not resuscitate" order in place, and a living
will prohibiting any medical intervention on my behalf.
Hell, I even refuse to have my corpse embalmed... which
is another grotesque mockery of the natural order, imo.

[Xeen]

I picked the 3rd option, though I kinda lied.

My expired ID says I'm an organ donor. But whenever I get a new one, it won't show that.

I found out that they don't take the stuff out of you when you're dead, and I really dislike that idea. So fluff them.

[DixieWitch]

I'm a donor....and my family knows about it. My mother-in-law was on a waiting lsit for a kidney for damn near 14 yrs. It was on Jan 1, 2003 that she finally got a kidney after over 13 yrs on dialysis. I offered her ine, but at the time her blood wasn't stable. But she fianlly got one. And after all that time...there's a running joke in the family that she mustn't be liked to well in heaven to go 13 yrs on a waiting list!!

[Autumn]

Aynjelah...in order to be an organ donor you need to be brain dead anyhow and you will not know or care as you will have walked toward the light and into another demention when you became brain dead.

They have to keep your heart and lung funtioning in order for them and the kidney and liver to be viable. however you can still donate your corneas and certain tissues even after the heart and lung stop...would you consider donating those?

[DanuMoonrunner]

Hawk and I are both donors. What do we want we these dried up old shells when they're done? We have also both donated our bodies to science after the harvesting is done. My children know all about it and my daughter (who is in control) has specific instructions about it. Why should my body take up valuable living space when I'm not in it? Do the research, burn what's left and have a party in my memory!!!! Plus, if you donate your empty shell, your children don't have to pay funeral arrangemnets and such and why saddle them with that added expense? I'll still be around in spirit, would you keep an old broken down car in your driveway? Ok, well some people would, but anway....

[Xeen]

Aynjelah...in order to be an organ donor you need to be brain dead anyhow and you will not know or care as you will have walked toward the light and into another demention when you became brain dead.

They have to keep your heart and lung funtioning in order for them and the kidney and liver to be viable. however you can still donate your corneas and certain tissues even after the heart and lung stop...would you consider donating those?
Brain dead ain't good enough for me. I know I don't care that much either way, but just enough to say no.

So maybe I have no compassion for the possibility that I could save somebody's life... *shrug* I like my choice. :)

[Rae ShadowWolf]

Yup. Donating my entire body to The Body Farm or the equivalent to it near us (if there is one).

I absolutely love the idea behind The Body Farm and support it 110%.

[Faery-Wings]

Do the research, burn what's left and have a party in my memory!!!!

Exactly!

I have been an organ donor for years. Since I plan on being cremated, please let them take every last bit of me that can be used for whatever, by whomever. Unfortunately, both my mother and husband disagree with me. They both see it as desecrating my body. :huh: *shrugs* I have thrown the "I'll haunt you line" at them for that.
I have my wishes written in a living will that was provided by my hospital when I had surgery. I am not sure what legal strength it actually carries though. I really should look more into that.

[DayDreamer]

I am an organ and tissue donor, as well as a registered bone marrow donor (live donation). I've also gone so far as to sign up with the national donor registry, so the permission of my next of kin is not required (I did that quite some time ago, as my ex-husband was firmly against organ donation).

If I am dead, I do not need my body parts anymore. If someone else does, by all means, let them have them.

As for being an organ donor... you are NOT a donor until you are clinically brain dead. At that point, keeping your body alive is required in order to harvest the organs - but YOU are dead.

[FaerieGothMommy]

Actually that's not true. You can still donate tissue which is very helpful to burn victims.

Thanks! I'll be deffinatly looking into that :)

[Hoot]

I am about to become a bone marrow donor too, but I am very scared about this. Any advice?

Several years ago I gave plasma for a friend with leukemia. That was when I learned about and opted to join the national program that coordinates donors with patients in need - it entailed reading and understanding the commitment involved (it's a surgical donation), discussing it with my immediate family, signing a lot of papers and paying a tax-deductible fee for testing. Here's more info: http://www.marrow.org/HELP/join_the_registry.html

I haven't been matched with anyone so far, and I need to update my information with them (since I've moved, and I'm now on medication that may make me ineligible).

[crashtime]

Yes, and I've talked to my family about it!

Would you like my kidneys?

[MoonChild78]

I am a donor and have been for years. I figure, you get new ones when you come back so why take them with me?! I just joke that no one will want my liver since it will be well soaked in vodka and tequila, so they should just squeeze it out over a bottle and sell it, I call it "Kristi's Persaonal Well Seasoned and Aged to Perfection Brew!!" and the slogan would be "It takes a lifetime to get a brew this strong!!". My friends say that it morbid to joke about my liver and death, but hey, death is part of life right?! So I don't care, take them and enjoy!!

[Purrcatnip]

I would be a donor, if I could figure out what rumors are true or not! I have heard soo many stories about the doctors not trying very hard to save your life for your organs, or if you are in a coma, they try and convince your family to let you go sooner...so that they can have your organs.. All this gross stuff.
I am pretty sure I will be a donor in a couple of years, but until then.. I still have to figure out how to do it, and figure out whats true or not.

[Autumn]

I tried to snopes this out but came up empty.

There are some pretty streneous guildlines as to what constitutes braindeath, it does include successive flat EEGs and other standards. It is not the same as simply being in a coma!!!

There are a number of levels of dysfunction and some are recoverable and some not. It also depends why it hs happened. Head injury causes swelling that can be dealt with if acted on fast enough. brainstem injuries have specific symptoms as does anoxia (no oxegen) a person is only declared braindead when interventions prove fruitless and the patient does not show improved neuro function, those people who are reportedly in comas for years and wake up were never brain dead...they had some level of brain activity all along. The doctors usually knew this too.

Doctors not working hard enough to save an organ donor so they can have the organs is illogical, they can't guarentee the family will approve the harvest or that the family won't sue, whether there was a mistake or not, and if they do sue it will become obvious that appropriate interventions did not happen. they have more to loose if they don't intervene...

I am frustrated by this because if I speak in the blunt terms I would like to I will offend someone for sure. Fact is modern nuerology and emergency medicine save lives and preserve function every day, but if my choices are to live the life of a potted plant that gets watered fed and turned daily or to pass on and save between 4 and 6 lives and give others vision and such, I would really rather pass on...

[sol]

I am currently an organ donor. However, when I get my new license for my name change I plan on saying no.
<snip>


Although I am a donor, I respect your opinion. There is no need to wait to replace your license; simply cross out the organ donation portion and then convey your wishes to your next of kin, who would have to approve any donation anyway, despite whatever your license may say.

[sol]

<snip> Plus, if you donate your empty shell, your children don't have to pay funeral arrangemnets and such and why saddle them with that added expense? <snip>

If I'm not mistaken (please let me know if I am wrong), undertakers are well protected in New York. Whatever remains of you after the useful stuff is donated, even if it becomes a cadaver, is ultimately returned to the family and your estate is responsible for the costs of legally sanctioned disposal i.e. burial or cremation. New York even mandates that you be cremated in a casket, so that you can't even avoid the expense of buying a casket. What a crock!

Again, none of this affects my decision - I am a donor and my DW knows this.

[9-2-2]

I don't have insurance or money, so if the EMT got there on time when I was horribly mutilated and dying (but in a position to be saved), and they found out I was so poor, they might just "get there a little too late" and hack me up for spare parts. :)

It's not a common reality, and it's not all that bright and shiny. But when I think of that possibility happening to me, I get strangely amused. :)

I think I've started to accept the fact that this country cares about money and swinging its balls around rather than helping your fellow man.

[sol]

Don't take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here!!

This bumper sticker appears on all the cars of family members of a woman roughly my age who died of hemachromatosis before a matching liver could be found ...

*************************

More annoyances ... I think that embalming might be mandated in New York (violates Judaism) and furthermore, most cemeteries around here require that the casket be placed inside a concrete vault so that when the wood eventually rots, the ground will not subside a few inches above it. (another violation of Judaism)

And yet another annoyance ... I believe that your spouse has the final say and can override your wishes either way on organ donation. The back of the drivers license thing is not legally binding without spouse (or other next of kin) consent. And wills are concerned with disposition of property and guardianship of kids and wills are generally in physical posession of the next of kin. If the next of kin disagrees with any organ donation consent or lack thereof in the will, the next of kin can simply do what (s)he wants, then only "find" the will a few days later.

**************************


I am a donor, but I have heard that the survival rates for donors vs non-donors during the ambulance ride is troubling.

No - I'm worried the paramedics won't work as hard to save my life if they know they can have my gizzard when I croak!

I would not worry about medical professionals not trying as hard because you are a donor. They are too busy saving your a$$ and cannot spare the time to find your wallet and dig through it in case you are a donor.

[BlondeNorse]

Noressa did you know that you can be something called a living donor ... you guys do not have to be dead to donate .... you can donate a Kidney ... if you knew you could save someone close to you cuz you matched them ...
Don't forget Bone Marrow! I am on the National Bone Marrow Registry. I registered in 1991, and have only been called down as a potential match once (you give blood to be tested when you first register, and they run more tests if you're a potential match), but -- I wasn't. Darnit. I really wanted to be among those super special people who give relatively little to save a lot: an entire life!!

It's easy! You can probably Google them, or I think their number is 1-800-4-MARROW. You just carry a card, and go on with your life. If they call, they call. If they don't, they don't. It's well worth it!

Blessed be!

[BlondeNorse]

Oops! I jumped the gun! Sorry!!

Blessed be -- even more!!

[~*Ginger*~]

I respect your choices...

For myself....

All my parts & pieces stay with me!

[Theres]

I respect your choices...

For myself....

All my parts & pieces stay with me!

ditto.
everyone has their time, and it's not for me to interfere with that natural process either way. i don't want your bits, thank you.

[Raydreamer]

I've always planned on being an organ doner, once i die i don't need my organs, our body is just a shell!

Did you know, if you sign up for a Boots Advantage points card, on the form, they have a little box you can check if you want to be an organ donor! That's what i did. So know i get to collect points and give away my liver!!
Even though i hardly ever shop in Boots! It already costs a liver just to buy some face cream!!!!