Organ Donor

[2binak]

If I understand correctly, not only do you need to check the box for organ donation, you need to make sure that your loved ones are willing to do it. Regardless of your wishes, your family can put the brakes on it.

Not if you have an advance directive That trumps your family's wishes.

 

[Nette]

Nearly 18 years ago, when I was just 18 years old I signed the consent form to donate my Aunt's organs. 5 people were saved, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys...her eyes went to research.

There is no reason not to donate healthy organs.

Besides the aforementioned religious reasons (which I do not ascribe to) there are reasons that a "healthy" organ cannot be donated.

My organs are all healthy in that they are doing their job for me... However, I have an autoimmune disease (in remission) and so cannot donate organs.

Sorry... that statement just rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[lillygator]

There is no reason not to donate healthy organs.

That is a VERY personal choice....

 

[LuvLDM]

I'm terribly sorry about your friends loss, I hope the donation of his organs brings them comfort.

 

[NikitaZee]

That is a VERY personal choice....

Yes it is. Those who donate are heroes in my book. But I don't think badly of those who choose not to.

 

[JessicaR]

Yes it is. Those who donate are heroes in my book. But I don't think badly of those who choose not to.

Me either, as long as they arent on any line to receive.

 

[NikitaZee]

Me either, as long as they arent on any line to receive.

The last time this thread came up, I had expressed that I would donate - but for personal/spiritual reasons I did not wish to include my eyes and heart for donation. I was flamed right and left - saying that I should not receive a heart or eyes then, if I wasn't willing to give them, specifically. Very strong opinions on this issue.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Many years ago I was working in an ICU when we had an older lady die. It was expected. Her daughter was there & said that she noticed that her mother had signed her drivers license that she wanted to be an oran donor. I contacted the transplant team to see if there was anything of hers that they could use due to her age. They were able to take her eyes. They said if the corneas could be used they would or use them for science. The daughter was thrilled. After they harvested her eyes, they fixed the sockets so no one could tell unless they opened her eye lids. They treated her body with respect.

 

[LuvLDM]

I recognize that organ donation is an intensely personal matter but I am very curious as to why some people are opposed to it?

Assuming your religion doesn't prohibit it & your organs are viable for donation, what might the objection be?
I'm not judging, just genuinely curious.

 

[heatherwillmom]

Not if you have an advance directive That trumps your family's wishes.

Unfortunately, a family can over-ride the wishes of the deceased sometimes. They can say that the deceased was not of sound mind which can be hard to prove otherwise. They can say the they were forced to sign the advanced directives. It's sad but it does happen. A lot of times, its because the deceased can't sue the doctor & hospital but the survivors can

 

[JessicaR]

I recognize that organ donation is an intensely personal matter but I am very curious as to why some people are opposed to it?

Assuming your religion doesn't prohibit it & your organs are viable for donation, what might the objection be?
I'm not judging, just genuinely curious.

I'm curious what religion opposes organ donors specifically.

 

[LuvLDM]

I'm curious what religion opposes organ donors specifically.

I have no idea, it's honestly the only reason I could think of why someone would oppose donating viable organs.

 

[luvmy3]

Don't worry people who choose not to donate your organs. You can have mine, I didn't check the box yes, and then add stipulations

 

[JessicaR]

Don't worry people who choose not to donate your organs. You can have mine, I didn't check the box yes, and then add stipulations

Last I saw there isn't a stipulation box to check. I WOULDNT CHECK IT IF THERE WAS - doesn't stop my curiosity why others wouldn't donate and what religions do not allow it.

First thread I have seen on The DIS on this subject I guess its a HOT topic!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I recognize that organ donation is an intensely personal matter but I am very curious as to why some people are opposed to it?

Assuming your religion doesn't prohibit it & your organs are viable for donation, what might the objection be?
I'm not judging, just genuinely curious.

I'll get flamed to pieces, but so be it. I am not an organ donor. My reasons are very social-political-economical. Basically I have very limited health insurance, and me receiving the proper care to ever lead to a transplant is very very unlikely to ever happen, let alone pay for a lifetime of follow-up care. I have to make do with what parts I got. Since I know the system excludes me, then I choose not to be part of the system at all. The system is designed to benefit the well-insured.

For the posters who said "if you won't give, you can't receive" - well there is the flip side to that: The reality is that there are far more people who are donors who would never have the insurance to receive. Great that this inequality doesn't bother them (it sure bothers me). The whole issue of organ donations is tied to money, status, and insurance. We all love the feel-good attitude of "saving someone", but there is so much more to the whole issue.

Now I know every DISer will come on and report how all their medicaid-insured or uninsured friends all got brain transplants and are now doing great and had no financial issues getting the transplant or paying for follow-up care whatsoever. Of course.

For those who got transplants - great! The system worked for you. I have no problem with those who want to partcipate in giving/getting transplants; I choose to not be part of any of it.

Organ donation is a very personal decision, for whatever reason.