NBR: Are you an organ donor?

skyejo · May 2010

Why or why not?

I was reading an article about the long waits on organ donor lists and was just wondering why people decide to donate versus why they don't.

[Poll]

BeachM · May 2010

Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

franceshouseman · May 2010

I am and so is everyone else in my family. My Mom lost her dad when she was 8 because he had kidney disease and they never found a donor for him, so it's a big thing for my entire family.

yeshuahamasshiah · May 2010

I am one.

I always think however, given the long waiting lists why can people sell their organs too? It is afterall your body. Flame away if you think I am crazy but if someone paid me to donate my bone marrow or a kidney I would totally do it.

KRB8 · May 2010

flip_flops:
Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

This.

pepomntpat · May 2010

flip_flops:
Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

This and I wish I could convince DH of the same. He refuses to be an organ donor and I am not allowed to make the decision for him if (God forbid) something were to happen to him.

Jessicamz · May 2010

flip_flops:
Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

This. I don't get why people AREN'T organ donors. What good are your organs to you after you're dead?

SpartanChick88 · May 2010

I am. I too figure that I won't be needing things anymore, so someone who needs them should get them!

I had it on my contactor ID when I worked at CGHQ and was always amused when the guards at Ft. McNair (where we would walk at lunch) would flip over the IDs and look at the little heart.

skyejo · May 2010

I'm a donor. The stories you hear about how just one persons organs went on to save multiple lives are so touching that I would feel selfish not being one.

I have heard people on the non-donor side say that medical professionals treat you differently if you're an organ donor that's close to death. Their worry is that the doctors will basically not give you the best treatment since they would rather get to the organs in time to preserve them. Sounds a bit crazy to me.

MissNikki007 · May 2010

flip_flops:
Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

Exactly this. Why not give them to someone who needs them?

~Flossie~ · May 2010

Yes, but my SIL who is a nurse told me that the hospitals in our province aren't set up for major donations like hearts, and livers etc... (like the equipment needed and properly trained surgeons to take the organs) so the only thing you can actually donate are eyes. So that kind of makes it kind of pointless because they don't even do eye donations in our area very often anyways.

jordanebeaulieu · May 2010

I am. It just seemed like the natural choice for me.

mrs.g_6708 · May 2010

Yes. Although, my husband does not want me to be. He thinks that if I were ever in a bad accident, that they wouldn't work hard enough to save me because of my organs. I don't know, I think that if I can save someone else's life after I'm gone, it would be worth it. I hope that, God forbid, if we ever ended up in the situation of needing an organ, that someone could do the same for us (provided they are no longer "using" the organ.)

ZoeyMarie · May 2010

I think that if my organs are healthy enough after I pass away to help someone else out, I can be a part of something special and make another family have a brighter day. God put me here for a reason, and if that's part of the reason, who am I to not allow it?

VABride2008 · May 2010

mrs.g_6708:
Yes. Although, my husband does not want me to be. He thinks that if I were ever in a bad accident, that they wouldn't work hard enough to save me because of my organs. I don't know, I think that if I can save someone else's life after I'm gone, it would be worth it. I hope that, God forbid, if we ever ended up in the situation of needing an organ, that someone could do the same for us (provided they are no longer "using" the organ.)

I've heard this argument a lot too. I would hope that someone wouldn't do that, but I guess you never know. Maybe they are more likely to do this to an elderly person than to a younger person? Scary to think about.

I voted yes.

Emiliana7 · May 2010

For the longest tiem I wasn't an organ donor. One it creeped me out thinking other people would have 'parts' of me and two, I thought Dr.'s wouldn't try hard to save me if they knew I was an organ donor.

Then, what changed my mind, was I read on here a story (and a linked youtube video) about a little boy who died but could have been easily saved with organ donation. Bascially, the story was he was 18 months (I think) needed a liver- was at one hospital and the Dr's there put him on the list for immediate need- then his insurance company told the parents had to switch hospitals or pay everything on their own. So the parents moved him to the insurance-covereed hospital- where those dr's took him OFF THE LIST! because they didn't think he was that critical... within a few days he died. I really wish I would have saved the link to the video and I can't even remember the little boy's name...but because of his story I am now an organ donor (and made sure my family knows of my changed status).

pnwmama11 · May 2010

I am. It never crossed my mind to NOT be.

NihilismKat · May 2010

Meh, I figure I'll make my family decide for me. I'm like that.

jesslinnn · May 2010

Jessicamz:
flip_flops:
Yes. I can't use my organs if I'm dead.

This. I don't get why people AREN'T organ donors. What good are your organs to you after you're dead?

Something I always wonder.

MSC03 · May 2010

Absolutely, and I have been since I got my driver's license.

I've actually considered donating a kidney in a couple of years after we're done having kids--considering our daughter died because she didn't have any kidneys.

Dobie_Mama · May 2010

Yep - I want every usable part of my body utilized once they're no longer of use to me. Both my granddad & dad were greatly benefited by organ donations.

FlyingCake · May 2010

I am a donor. We are a recipient family, as well as a donor family. So I'm big on organ donation. The myths of them not trying to save you, is just that a myth. As a matter of fact, you have to fit the criteria to be a donor, if they just let you die, then your organs would be no good to anyone. Your organs have to be healthy for transplantation. In my family we've received and given the gift of life. We are actually in contact with my family member's organ recipients, which is very special. I truly believe, that this is the most selfless act you can do, before you part this earth.

Laurren · May 2010

Yes! My father's kidneys began to fail when he was about 50 years old. He was lucky enough to get a transplant from a donor and he is doing wonderfully! You don't realize how sick your loved ones are until they start to get better. It still makes me tear up to think of the generosity of that anonymous donor.

And I was actually in the process of getting tested to see if I was a match when my dad got his kidney. You have literally about 5 minutes to decide if you want the organ (and about an hour to get to the hospital), so he took it just in case I wasn't. It turns out that I am a match, and if he ever needs another kidney I will give him one of mine in a heartbeat.

LemonBlush · May 2010

skyejo:

I'm a donor. The stories you hear about how just one persons organs went on to save multiple lives are so touching that I would feel selfish not being one.

I have heard people on the non-donor side say that medical professionals treat you differently if you're an organ donor that's close to death. Their worry is that the doctors will basically not give you the best treatment since they would rather get to the organs in time to preserve them. Sounds a bit crazy to me.

(I know you know this) but this is absolutely not true. I am an ICU nurse and we have patients from time to time that have their organs donated. There are tons of tests that have to be performed before the organs can be donated. As well as extensive tests to prove you are braindead. NOBODY is treated differently bc they could possibly be a donor. To be honest with you, any patients that are extremely sick in our unit, we have to contact the donor registry (it is required of us) and they can do the rest from there. I will tell you everyone is treated as equals though no matter what!! And it usually takes over a day to do all of this, so the whole "get to the organs in time to preserve them" is not true either. It doesn't happen within hours (at least not that I've seen) like on TV.

FlyingCake · May 2010

LJB455:
skyejo:

I'm a donor. The stories you hear about how just one persons organs went on to save multiple lives are so touching that I would feel selfish not being one.

I have heard people on the non-donor side say that medical professionals treat you differently if you're an organ donor that's close to death. Their worry is that the doctors will basically not give you the best treatment since they would rather get to the organs in time to preserve them. Sounds a bit crazy to me.

(I know you know this) but this is absolutely not true. I am an ICU nurse and we have patients from time to time that have their organs donated. There are tons of tests that have to be performed before the organs can be donated. As well as extensive tests to prove you are braindead. NOBODY is treated differently bc they could possibly be a donor. To be honest with you, any patients that are extremely sick in our unit, we have to contact the donor registry (it is required of us) and they can do the rest from there. I will tell you everyone is treated as equals though no matter what!! And it usually takes over a day to do all of this, so the whole "get to the organs in time to preserve them" is not true either. It doesn't happen within hours (at least not that I've seen) like on TV.

Thanks for clearing that up. It's different when people hear it from an ICU nurse. For my family member it was a 5 day process, from the accident to the donation date. They ran so many test to confirm that she was in fact braindead. She was able to save 4 lives and we are so proud of her!

crollin · May 2010

DH & I both are. We will not be able to use them so why not help someone out in need.

SarahZ05 · May 2010

If I'm dead, I have no use for them. Someone might as well benefit. Should put a disclaimer somewhere in my file though, something like: "Don't bother with the corneas - this one's blind as a bat!"

c1kaestner · May 2010

I'm all about donating. What doesn't get taken for organs I want to be donated to medical science or medical schools. Let some future doctor learn how to help someone else off of my death. My family knows that if they take my body back from the hospital I'll come back to haunt them... lol.

DH is an organ donor but we wants to be buried otherwise, I'll respect that even though I'd rather donate his body too.

Yes there are some religions prohibit organ donation. Orthodox Jews, Jehovah Witnesses are a couple. They also don't believe in autopsies. Orthodox Jews are also not embalmed before burial and their coffins are different than the norm too. And then of course Christian Scientist believe that illnesses and injuries are punishment for not being righteous enough.

In several religions when the person dies they are buried intact. If you aren't buried intact then they won't have their body in heaven. We may find it odd or wrong but it is their choice and their faith we should accept and be supportive the best we can be.

pesci12 · May 2010

Yes. I won't be using them..

d.cubed · May 2010

Yes! Unfortunately, my aunt died when she was only 39. She was an organ donor and, while we will never know who the people were that her organs were given to, we do know that she saved 8 lives. It made our horrendous loss a little easier knowing that so many people were saved because of her organs.

SarahZ05 · May 2010

LJB455:
skyejo:

I'm a donor. The stories you hear about how just one persons organs went on to save multiple lives are so touching that I would feel selfish not being one.

I have heard people on the non-donor side say that medical professionals treat you differently if you're an organ donor that's close to death. Their worry is that the doctors will basically not give you the best treatment since they would rather get to the organs in time to preserve them. Sounds a bit crazy to me.

(I know you know this) but this is absolutely not true. I am an ICU nurse and we have patients from time to time that have their organs donated. There are tons of tests that have to be performed before the organs can be donated. As well as extensive tests to prove you are braindead. NOBODY is treated differently bc they could possibly be a donor. To be honest with you, any patients that are extremely sick in our unit, we have to contact the donor registry (it is required of us) and they can do the rest from there. I will tell you everyone is treated as equals though no matter what!! And it usually takes over a day to do all of this, so the whole "get to the organs in time to preserve them" is not true either. It doesn't happen within hours (at least not that I've seen) like on TV.

And thank you again for emphasizing this! It drives me crazy to know that people actually believe that nonsense about letting you die on the offchance that your organs might be feasible for transplant and might match a patient in need.

There are some religions that prevent their faithful from donating, under the tenet that the body is sacred and must enter the afterlife as intact as possible. For those people not part of one of those religions, I still can't wrap my head around refusing.

torii · May 2010

I'm an organ donor and I'm also on the bone marrow registry. If I'm dead, my body is useless. I can't imagine not choosing to give other people a chance at life.

jscann · May 2010

I am. My father received a donor liver, without which he would not have lived long enough to meet his grandson. My father in law had a heart transplant 11 years ago - since when he has seen all three of his children get married and has met his seven grandchildren. I also received donor tissue which allowed both of my knees to be repaired - without it I would be in a wheelchair now, unable to chase after my one year old. Obviously I have very personal reasons for supporting organ donation, but I was a donor before any of this happened, and encourage everyone to agree to be an organ and tissue donor.

hopecounts · May 2010

I'm a donor b/c I think it's a way to make something good out of death by saving other lives.

I know there are religions that have prohibitions against it b/c it's considered desecrating the body, which may be a factor for some people.

The main reason there is such a long wait is the circumstances where they can use the organs are so limited. Basically it has to be some form of brain death/fatal brain injury b/c most other deaths deprive the organs of oxygen and they are not usable.

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