Organ Donation

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 May 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kiama	24 May 2002
This thread was inpired by another thread... I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are about donating organs? Do any of you carry Donor Cards? How do you feel about the idea of organ donation? Me, I am still unsure... Whilst I love the idea of being able to save lives after my death, I have head that some organs cannot be used unless they are removed whilst you are still physically alive... This would mean trying to keep you on life-support, taking the organs out, and switching the machine off, which would cause even more pain to the family... Also, what if you die instantly in, say, a car crach? Your organs cannot be used then... (Well, the organs which need to still be alive.) Any thoughts? Kiama

Diana	24 May 2002
Well, my neighbour's really glad to be alive thanks to a donated organ and it allowed her to bring up her two little ones. I carry my card with me always.

aeonx	24 May 2002
I think it's an extremely hard decision, and I haven't quite decided for myself yet. However, if I had to choose today, I would have said no. I can't give you that great explanation as a reason to why, 'cause I don't really know why. I've even given it a lot of thought. It's just a feeling I have, I guess. Who knows, maybe I'll reconsider... ~aeonx~

wavebreaker	24 May 2002
I think it's a very personal decision, that everyone should decide on for themselves. I do carry a Donor Card and I've also told my family that I have one. We also have a system now in the Netherlands where you can have your Donor Card registered in a central database, so that even if you don't have your Donor Card on you when it's needed, they can still check whether you've agreed to be a donor or not. I wouldn't mind if they would keep me on life support a little longer to save some organs. At that stage I wouldn't notice it myself, so if it would help other people, why not? As for my family's feelings: I think they should respect that this is what I want. If one of my family members would have to be kept on life support because they wanted to be a donor, it wouldn't cause me any additional pain because I would know that's what they wanted. It's like a "last wish" to me and I would always respect that, even if I wouldn't agree with it. If I should die in a car crash and my organs couldn't be used, well, that's just bad luck I guess, not just for me... ;) To me, my body is just a casing that I need while I'm alive, as soon as I'm dead I won't be needing it anymore, it won't have any value for me anymore. So I'd rather they did something useful with it than just bury it in the ground. I don't like the idea of burial anyway, so I've also told my family that I want to be cremated. Why take up space as a dead person while there's hardly enough space for the living? ;)

truthsayer	24 May 2002
i know several ppl alive today b/c of organ donation. one was a young woman w/ a small child and husband. she had diabetes and as a result was on renal dialysis due to kidney failure. she got a new pancreas and liver. it's been over 5 years. i feel elated for her gift of life everytime i see her. b/c of some kind soul's generosity, her son has a mother. this is just one i know whose lives have been touched by the miracle of organ donation. i also know ppl who died b/c a transplant failed but i think the techniques are getting better all the time. yes, i plan to be a donor. I plan to be cremated so all that'll be left of me is ashes. why not allow someone have what's so desperately needed? after i'm dead, it's a moot point. i really don't understand the process of organ donation but if you have any questions i'm sure somewhere in internet land a site can explain it.

amyel	24 May 2002
I carry an organ donor card. Well, the equiv of it in Ontario. See, I am the only child of my mother & father (my sister, Lunar_Rabbit & my broter are half siblings). My motet comes a big family, but my father was also an only child and I do not have contact with his family. After watching a presentation on organ donors and organ recipients, I realized that should I ever be in the position of needing a donation, I would likely be put on "the list", as it was also unlikely that any of my closest family memebres would be a compatible match. Then I figured those on the lists are likley in similar positions. So it seemed a logical line to draw, for me....Anyway, after I've passed, I certainly don't need the organs anymore! I am also on the bone marrow donors list, for exactly the same reasons. But here, it's separate from organ donors.

Rhiannon	24 May 2002
Yes, I have a donor card. My family knows. That way there can be no questioning at the hospital. I feel the same way truth and tarotlady do. I don't need it anymore... but someone else might. If, Goddess forbid, something should happen to one of my kids, I would donate their organs too. Rhiannon :)

Umbrae	24 May 2002
Hey, if I'm not using it anymore... Kind of like an old sweater...This body is just like a house or a sweater. If I am finished with it...Uh...you may want to pass on my liver...

raeanne	24 May 2002
Personally, I feel you only have to ask yourself one question: If my loved one was dying and a transplant would save their life, would I want them to accept a transplanted organ. If you are willing to accept, you HAVE to be willing to donate. For the people who are against transplants, then that is fine. Don’t offer, but don’t take. If you think there might be a chance you would ever need it, you have to be willing to give. That’s my feeling on it. And yes, my sister donated when she died and so did my mother. My father and I will both donate as well. My youngest son has already signed his donor card but my eldest keeps putting it off. It is his decision.

cricket	24 May 2002
I'm not "officially" an organ donor, but there is a small card in my wallet, hand written, and signed, saying that if anything should happen that my organs should be donated. It only makes sense to pass something as important as life on to somebody else. Especially if you're not using it anymore. ;) It's not going to hurt the donor. At the point of donation, there's not a whole lot that could!

Liliana	24 May 2002
In Pennsyania, when you go get a license or ID card you just have to chek a little box that says I want to e an Organ Donor. Then its printed on your license/ID I was never before, but my husand convinced me to be a donor last time I renewed my license. So, now I am one. When I die I wont need it, so give whatever to those that do. I want to bury whatevers left tho, I hae a grave plot next to my father that I want to be put in, whih aoys my husband beause he doesnt want to be buried there and thinks I should be next to him. Oh well, hopefully that arguement wont be for awhile since I only 25 lol.

destinyawaitsme	24 May 2002
I'm a donor...I always figured that I won't need my kidneys when I'm dead. :)

Jenny-Li	24 May 2002
Hrrrmmm... Just realizing that I still haven't filled out that damn card. Have to get that done though, because I really believe in passing on what you are done with anyway. I'm with Umbrae here - it's just like passing on an old sweater that you've outgrown or just are "done" with. Thanks for reminding me - I'll try to remember grabbing a card the next time I'm at the doctor's... /Jenny

Cat	24 May 2002
Everyone seems to agree that carrying an organ donor card is a good thing, personally, I believe it's a duty and that people should have to carry an opt-out card if they don't want their organs donated, simply because so many people just don't think about it. A former employer of mine is involved with the Irish Kidney Assosciation, and told me that it's becoming more and more possible to donate after death ie, accident victims who are DOA can still be used as donors. This is especially true for bone marrow, which is great news, since bone-marrow is one of the hardest tissues to match. The more potential donors, the greater the chance of finding the right one is. However, while signing an after-death donor card is an easy thing to do, how do people feel about living donations? In Ireland the Blood Bank survives on donations alone, noone gets paid for their blood. Or living bone marrow donation. There are databases of people willing to donate to those in need of a bone marrow transplant if a family match can't be found. Would you be willing to do this? The donation procedure involves quite painful surgery, and a few days off work - would many people be willing to do this for a complete stranger, whom donation protocols will not allow them to meet? I've donated blood (but can't for the next year, as I've had piercings recently); but to be honest, I'm quite scared of becoming a potential bone marrow donor. It's something I want to do, but I haven't picked up the courage yet.

wavebreaker	24 May 2002
Good question Cat, and I think I'm with you on that: it's a good thing, but I don't think I would have the courage... Well I guess I would if it would be for a family member. The donor registration system that was introduced in our country was set up just because there are a lot of people who never really think about it. So now everyone who turns 18 receives a form on which they can indicate their choice (to be a donor or not or to leave the decision to family). They did consider an opt-out system where everyone over 18 would automatically be registered as a donor and you had to specifically ask to be removed from the list if you didn't want to be a donor, but in the end they decided not to do it this way.

Liliana	24 May 2002
I wouldnt mind giving blood, ut I dont ever have the chance. During the times they hold blood drives my husband is in school, and I cant take my 2 toddlers with me. No ones offered bone marrow donation here, but in a city a hour away theres a place that pays for your plasma. Ive neer done it but a friend of mine did. Most people teah their kids sharing is a good thing, so why not share some blood or whateer, we're going to get it back anyway.

Jenny-Li	24 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Cat However, while signing an after-death donor card is an easy thing to do, how do people feel about living donations? In Ireland the Blood Bank survives on donations alone, noone gets paid for their blood. Hi! I agree with you, it's not all just a nice and cosy and no-doubt-question. Signing up to be a blood donor is something I've thought of for a long time, and the only thing that keeps me from doing it is finding the time to go get the physical exam you need to have completed before you're accepted as a donor. The actual donation you can do an a blood-donation-bus, they set those things up a bit here and there, so that's all easily accessible. Then I'm a little afraid of becoming very tired afterwards - you know with a pint less blood in the system... My life is rather demanding most of the time, I'd be afraid I'd faint or just go sick or something! Anyone with experience that can talk me out of THAT nonsense? Quote: Originally posted by Cat Or living bone marrow donation. There are databases of people willing to donate to those in need of a bone marrow transplant if a family match can't be found. Would you be willing to do this? The donation procedure involves quite painful surgery, and a few days off work - would many people be willing to do this for a complete stranger, whom donation protocols will not allow them to meet? The good thing about being a bone-marrow donor is (as I have understood it) that you don't do anything until the match is made and the case is right there in front of you, a real flesh and blood and soul person who needs something you can give them! So yes it's painful and it will take a few days for you to recover, but it's not like something you do "in case". Should it ever become an option, you know you can save someone's life. I definitely agree that it would be easier if you got to meet the person, but I suppose they have those rules to save the patients from having debt-feelings towards that person all his or her life. Karmic gratitude is one thing, feeling debt to someone else might very well be a whole different thing. *sigh* Yes, a difficult question it is... Jenny :)

jade	24 May 2002
in british columbia, canada...where i live. we register with a registry to donate our organs. i have registered my hubby, myself and all the kids..............cause why not save a life if you can? we'd be done with them, why not offer them to someone else. talk about reuse, recycle!!!!!! love jade

Faerie Lin	24 May 2002
I also need to fill out the card, because I want to be one also, just haven't had the time, or I keep on forgetting when I do have the time. Once I die, I will not care what happens to my body. Its just like once you put some old furniture out to trash, you wouldn't care who grabs it to use. This thread subject reminded me of my silly as a goose mother! She has always jokingly said (though I think she is kinda serious about) allowing all her organs to be donated EXPECT for ONE EYE (lol) incase everyone gets risen for the dead like zombies I guess.... so she can aleast be able to see. Thats my mom! So silly sometimes! Lin

Sam	24 May 2002
Quote: Originally posted by tarotlady_nl I think it's a very personal decision, that everyone should decide on for themselves. i agree w/ tarotlady_nl. this is a very personal decision.

cricket	24 May 2002
So now it's blood and marrow donations, huh? I would be more than willing to donate either or, except for the fact that I'm not allowed to do so. Every time I've tried to donate blood, the people taking the donations have turned me away. I tried to sign up for marrow donations a time or two, and was turned down for that, too.

kayne	25 May 2002
I am an Organ Donor and I like the idea that a tragic situation can save so many peoples lives. Unfortuately (for reasons I can't quite fathom) my family are quite against organ donation and I believe that here, no matter what you have agreed to in life, if your immediate family don't allow it after death, it won't happen. I hope that if something terrible happened to me that my family would respect my wishes and allow my organs to be used again.

Mermaid	25 May 2002
I guess I'm with Raeanne on this one - though I don't particually like the thought of what being a donor involves I would accept a donation for myself or a loved one if if I had to, & if you want to get you should be prepared to give! They won't let me donate blood, though! I was living in England at the height of the mad cow madness in '97, and in NZ that means you're not allowed to donate blood ever. I think I'd feel too guilty not to donate blood if I could, so secretly I'm kind of relieved to have a valid excuse ... :)

Kaz	25 May 2002
i don't have a card, but in holland you can register at a central database for organdonation. i did that, when i die i don't need my bodyparts anymore, someone else might. and, if ever i would need a bodypart to keep me alive i would accept it, so i donate as well. kaz

Emily	26 May 2002
I think it is down to personal choice, my husband has already told me he doesn't want to be used for organ donation, i didn't ask him why, I just accept it - and I'll make sure he won't be used. Organ donation for me, well they can everything except my eyes (don't ask why lol) When I'm dead the body is just a by-product, a shell, and if I could help someone else to have a few more years then so be it. I wouldn't like any of my body parts to end up in a teaching hospital though lol :)

Cat	26 May 2002
I had the eye thing for a while, I ticked all the boxes on my organ donor card except for eyes; and then when new cards were introduced, I said they could have what ever parts of me they wanted. I'm afraid it's not entirely altruistic, though. I've an irrational fear that when we're dead; we only look dead - we've still got awareness that's confined to the body (it is irrational and contradicts both my spiritual and scientific beliefs :) ). On the subject of donating for medical research, after organ donation your body is useless from the point-of view of educating medical students. in my uni, at least, the medics were paired up and each assigned a corpse to dissect from scratch. A body with many bits missing isn't the best teaching tool. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that my recently qualified ER doctor had never seen the way things fit together inside..... I would, however, like to leave my brain to my Uni for teaching purposes. During my Psychology degree, I took a neurophysiology practical, where we got to work with real human brains and spinal cords. It sounds gory, but its actually hard to express how touching an experience it was. The brain's architecture is actually very beautiful; a section through any part of it reveals such beautiful patterns in the tissues, and being able to relate textbook knowledge to the 'real thing' in your hands is an incredible learning experience, it really helps you unite these abstract principles with the biology. I can also say that I felt very privalaged to have the chance of this; the thought that someone is concerned enough with your education and the betterment of science to donate their brain is quite something. It's sobering, too, to see the seat of consciousness divorced from life and spirit. If anyone is interested in leaving their body or bits of it to science, I can safely say that noone in a class of 24 students showed anything but the greatest respect to the brain they were handling, and a deep gratitude for the opportunity. It was a touching and exciting experience in ways I can't define, and I strongly feel that I would like to share it with students of the future by donating my brain - after all, I can't take it with me :)

raeanne	26 May 2002
Hi all, When I was diagnosed with cancer 19 years ago, the doctors asked if they could take pictures of my innards during surgery for educational purposes. I readily agreed. Somewhere out there are pictures of my gut! In some medical textbook or something, someone is learning about a cancer that has spread and what it looks like. Gee, I kind of wish I had asked for copies! I know, I'm weird, but hey, it's my insides!

catlin	27 May 2002
I had a donor card for several years but then I read that there was an old (over his seventies) rich bugger who got 2 liver transplantations just because he was Mr XYZ whereas there are plenty of other ppl who are waiting for a donation organ for ages and don't get one just because they are not so "important". I really do not want to have some part of myself implanted in an old sack who will soon die with or without donation organ whereas young ppl maybe with children do not get an organ just because they have not the means or are judged as 2nd class folk by a doctor who wants to get famous because he as transplanted an organ to a VIP.

wavebreaker	27 May 2002
Catlin: although I'm afraid these things may happen, I'm sure these are exceptions. Personally, I wouldn't want to deny "innocent" people one of my organs which they are desperately in need of just because there are a few people who are abusing the system. I think that would be really unfair to the "innocent" people, because if more people would throw away their donor card because of this, there will be even less donor organs available and this will only encourage bad practises, with rich people offering lots of money for a donor organ...

catlin	27 May 2002
Hi tarotlady_nl, I see the point but I still could not make up my mind to sign again a donor card. Besides, I still remember my 3 months in hospital and this feeling of being completely at the mercy of some doctors and so I just fear to get a worse treatment when they see you are a potential organ donor. I know this sounds somehow strange but I cannot help about that.

wavebreaker	27 May 2002
Catlin: I think you should only sign another donor card if it feels right for you. Like I said before: I think this is a very personal decision, no one else can decide for you. If it doesn't feel right for you, then don't do it. It's as simple as that. ;)

The Organ Donation thread was originally posted on 24 May 2002 in the Chat board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Chat, or read more archived threads.