Have you signed your Organ Donor card?

[CathyCanada]

After learning that Jesica's parents didn't want any of her other organs donated (if indeed they were in any shape TO donate, I don't know), I wondered how many of you have signed your organ donor card?

For me, I won't need anything when I am gone and if it can help someone else, there is no question. I guess I am just curious why some people don't want to do it. Is it a religious thing? Does it make you squeamish? I'm really just curious.
CC

 

[Dan Murphy]

Mine is signed, the back of my driver's license.

 

[paras4ri]

I agree with you Cathy. I've always signed the donor portion of my driver's license and often wondered why people choose not to. I'm looking forward to some responses to this post.

 

[janette]

My driver's license is checked.

Even more important is making sure your family knows of your desire. Hospitals will still ask the next of kin, they should know of your desire before being in that position so there is no decision. If they refuse the donation won't happen.

edited to add:

Just checked my license and it no longer has donor information. I quess there is a separate card. I'll have to do some checking.

 

[snoopy]

If you want to donate your organs, make it explicitely clear to your loved ones that is what you want. Just because you have signed your card doesn't mean it will work out that way.

When someone dies, and it is known that they are an organ donor, the first thing they do is contact the next of kin to get permission to take the organs. This happens minutes after the death. Oftentimes people are so shocked by the actual death that they can't think straight and do not give their permission. When my mother died I had to come down to the hospital and sign papers, even though she had made it clear on her Drivers License that she wanted her organs donated. I knew how important it was to her, so I made the trek over to the hospital, but it was the last thing I felt like doing so soon after her shocking death.

In any case, DH knows I want to donate any organ of mine that might save a life or make someone else's life better. I can't imagine why someone wouldn't want this, maybe we'll get some answers on this thread.

 

[Michelle]

I have always believed strongly that anything of mine that can be donated should be, and I want to be cremated after that.

We have donor cards that go with our driver's licenses in California and I have had one signed since I moved to California in 1983.

I am actually a recipient of donor bone used in spinal fusion surgery I had in 1988.

If my organs, skins, bones or whatever can help someone else after I'm gone, I can think of no greater legacy.

 

[Dream]

Yep mine is signed...and dh knows my wishes. I have witnessed many family members trying to cope with the death of a loved one. It is a tremendously difficult time, then someone walks into the room and asks you to "give away" parts of that person you loved so deeply. Not everyone is that strong or capable of seeing beyond their own grief at that point in time to be able to make this decision. Just something to think about ya'll.

 

[Krissalee]

I have signed the organ donation part of my drivers lisence, plus I have an addition organ donors card that I picked up from a brochure at a hospital. (I work in healthcare) I have made it well known to my DH and my family, that should anything happen to me, I would want my organs donated.

It is difficult to think about this stuff while we are healthy and living, but you never know what could happen, and you never know if your donated organs can save another life.

 

[WillyJ]

Yep. . the info on my drivers license reflects my wishes to be a donor, and my family is aware of my wishes as well. . .

 

[CathyCanada]

Michelle, I didn't know that! I knew about your back surgery, but not that.

Jodi, you are right. Shock and grief don't always help people make good decisions. I have told my family that I WANT to do this and they should honour my wishes.

A few years back, I had a friend die of a brain aneurysm at the age of 38 she was so full of life and one of the funniest people I knew. She had signed her card and her family agreed and I think it was 7 or 8 very lucky people were the recipients of their generosity and caring. It really helped her Mom cope with the loss of Becky I think. Becky's husband was just shell-shocked and was facing raising a beautiful 4-year old on his own, but they did the right thing.

Not meaning to judge anyone who doesn't do this, I really am just curious.
CC

 

[Banzai]

I only have my permit, so it doesn't have that area, but I will have that signed on my licence (April 19!!!)

 

[jamsmom]

Janette:

SInce I am from Texas, I looked at my most recend DL (from January 2003) and there is no mention of it on mine either. My parents and sister and Jim know how I feel...take everything that can be used...but I also need to find out if there is a different card.

 

[janette]

For those in Texas I found a site where you can get a donor card. It says you can also pick them up at the DL office.

Live & Then Give

 

[DonnaS]

Yes my wishes are on my driver's license and my family knows my wishes.

 

[Michelle]

Cath, it is strange to think about it, but I do have a part of someone else living in me. My orthopedist at the time said that using bone from my own hip caused all sorts of problems on its own and he preferred to use donor bone.

My family definitely knows my wishes very strongly and it is a shame that more families do not donate what they can.

 

[helenabear]

My drivers license states that I would like to be an organ donor and more importantly, my family knows my wishes as well.

 

[JasonLyons]

hasnt anyone seen the movie Coma

 

[SonjaB]

It's on my drivers' license and I have informed my family.

 

[bobcat]

Yes it is indicated on my drivers license and my family knows my wishes.

 

[cgcw]

Yes, my license is signed and my family knows my wishes.

When my brother passed away last year, his DW donated his organs. I was very surprised as to what they were able to use -- valves leading to his heart (even though he died of a heart attack), portions of kidney and liver connections (not the right term, I know), and other vein/connection type things. Until then, I always thought that the need was for the major/vital organs.

I wonder in the case of Jesica, whether organ donation was an option for her family. In the case of my FIL who just passed away, organ donation was an option until he was put on life support. I just hope this is the case, because it would be really sad that her parents couldn't give the gift of life to others if it wasn't.