Why would you choose not to be an organ donor?

[NikitaZee]

I guess we think differently on this, because if I am willing to take, I should be willing to give.

I'm willing to give - just not those two organs. I'd donate a kidney to a stranger (living donation), if I was a match and a loved one of mine received a matching kidney in return from another stranger. Not everyone would feel comfortable doing that - but that's okay. Doesn't mean they shouldn't receive, if they needed to.

 

[crashbb]

I would donate my organs, with the exception of my heart and eyes. They represent the heart and soul of who I am, and although it might not make practical sense to some, I don't want them cut from my body - even after I'm gone. Anything else, is okay with me.

Given this belief, I find it interesting that you'd accept someone else's heart and/or eyes. I'm not sure I could accept someone's "heart and soul".

My family knows that I am willing to donate whatever organs that can be used. None of the family members whose deaths I've been involved with have had any usable organs (metastatic cancers and hepatitis), so I've never had to deal with organ donation. I do, however, have a few friends living because of donated organs.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i don't have a problem with it, but i'm betting some of it is because some people's organs really can't be used i have horrible eyesight, i wouldn't want anyone to have to use my eyes lol

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I'm willing to give - just not those two organs. I'd donate a kidney to a stranger (living donation), if I was a match and a loved one of mine received a matching kidney in return from another stranger. Not everyone would feel comfortable doing that - but that's okay. Doesn't mean they shouldn't receive, if they needed to.

I disagree...if you were given the opportunity to give someone else life, and didn't with the organs you denied, why should you be granted the option for the same organs you possibly denied? This doesn't negate those who physically cannot donate or their organ would be incapable of being donated (cancer ridden, etc.). For instance, I'd love to give blood, but I cannot because of my sexuality and I had to have blood once when I was younger. But if I could, I would in a heartbeat.

 

[NikitaZee]

Given this belief, I find it interesting that you'd accept someone else's heart and/or eyes. I'm not sure I could accept someone's "heart and soul".
My family knows that I am willing to donate whatever organs that can be used. None of the family members whose deaths I've been involved with have had any usable organs (metastatic cancers and hepatitis), so I've never had to deal with organ donation. I do, however, have a few friends living because of donated organs.

It's a strong feeling I have. My other organs, take them. I honestly don't see why this bothers some folks? Surely there are worse things a person can get criticized for than choosing which organs they wish to donate.

 

[osukristin227]

There is no greater gift than a donated organ to a family that is watching their family member go through hell only to eventually die...if you've ever been in a dialysis center, you would certainly have your mind made up (or at least I hope so...). My father received a donated kidney a year ago. PKD is a hereditary disease and the only cure is organ transplantation. We are so thankful that my dad's donor made the decision to donate! Just something to consider!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have a question for people that say they will not be organ donors. Does this mean you would refuse an organ transplant for yourself, knowing you would be accepting something that you in turn would not be willing to give someone else in need? Would you refuse an organ for your child if they needed one?

Why should someone refuse when being an organ donor is not a requirement for receiving one?

Neither is donating blood a requirement for receiving blood.

It would be discrimination and medicine isn't about who is selfless and thus receives more care and those perceived as selfish receive less care.

 

[iwrbnd]

They can have anything of mine they want! I won't need it where I'm going!

 

[nmmom95]

Education is the only cure for ignorance.

I do, however, have a few friends living because of donated organs.

I'd be willing to bet that people who do not want to donate have never known someone who has had to live with organ failure.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I honestly don't see why this bothers some folks? Surely there are worse things a person can get criticized for than choosing which organs they wish to donate.

I think its because many of us see it is hypocritical and selfish, I know I do. I applaud you for your willingness to donate the organs you choose to, but I could only wish you would decline an organ that you wouldn't donate yourself and give it instead to someone who would offer the same.

 

[luvmy3]

I have a question for people that say they will not be organ donors. Does this mean you would refuse an organ transplant for yourself, knowing you would be accepting something that you in turn would not be willing to give someone else in need? Would you refuse an organ for your child if they needed one?

I would not want someone elses eyes because of my own weirdness, however its very easy for me to say because I have no issues with my own. Who knows, if I did maybe I would feel differently. For my children I would absolutely accept what they needed, if someone is willing to give. I didn't agree to be an organ donor so that if I need an organ it would be an "even exchange", I will do it because I feel its the one last thing that I can do for someone in need, I hope all the donors see it the same and not some I'll give you mine only if you are willing to give me yours type thing.

 

[NikitaZee]

Why should someone refuse when being an organ donor is not a requirement for receiving one?

Neither is donating blood a requirement for receiving blood.

It would be discrimination and medicine isn't about who is selfless and thus receives more care and those perceived as selfish receive less care.

I agree with this.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

. They need a family witness as they take body parts. Her aunt had to sit there while they took her apart.
.

That is ridiculous. Please provide proof of this, I just can't believe it.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Why should someone refuse when being an organ donor is not a requirement for receiving one?

Neither is donating blood a requirement for receiving blood.

It would be discrimination and medicine isn't about who is selfless and thus receives more care and those perceived as selfish receive less care.

I could see where it could be deemed discrimination and it would be a hard thing to prove (one person could say they would donate a heart when they need one themselves), but at the same time it us unfortunate that those who are selfish get the same treatment as those who give it all.

 

[crashbb]

It's a strong feeling I have. My other organs, take them. I honestly don't see why this bothers some folks? Surely there are worse things a person can get criticized for than choosing which organs they wish to donate.

No, I get when people, in general, refuse to donate organs but still want them. I may not agree with it, but I get it.

I just honestly don't get viewing heart and eyes as the "heart and soul" and being willing to accept them from a stranger.

 

[NikitaZee]

I think its because many of us see it is hypocritical and selfish, I know I do. I applaud you for your willingness to donate the organs you choose to, but I could only wish you would decline an organ that you wouldn't donate yourself and give it instead to someone who would offer the same.

I don't know anyone who would do that. Do you?

I would not want someone elses eyes because of my own weirdness, however its very easy for me to say because I have no issues with my own. Who knows, if I did maybe I would feel differently. For my children I would absolutely accept what they needed, if someone is willing to give. I didn't agree to be an organ donor so that if I need an organ it would be an "even exchange", I will do it because I feel its the one last thing that I can do for someone in need, I hope all the donors see it the same and not some I'll give you mine if only if you are willing to give me yours type thing.

I think that is exactly what some folks think.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

It's a strong feeling I have. My other organs, take them. I honestly don't see why this bothers some folks? ...

It's the Dis. It is a good thing that you didn't say that you are okay with line jumpers. Then you would really be in trouble...

 

[luvmy3]

I could see where it could be deemed discrimination and it would be a hard thing to prove (one person could say they would donate a heart when they need one themselves), but at the same time it us unfortunate that those who are selfish get the same treatment as those who give it all.

Here's a question for you. If you had a family member who is an organ donor and someone needed their heart, or something else in order to survive, could you deny them the chance at life because they weren't willing to donate that same organ?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I don't know anyone who would do that. Do you?

Unfortuantely no, I don't think I know anyone who would pass up an organ transplant because they were/are selfish. That would contradict the being selfish part.

 

[java]

That is ridiculous. Please provide proof of this, I just can't believe it.

I don't need to prove it I was the one on the phone with the aunt as she sat there. How would you like me to prove it to you? Believe what you want to. I was trying to share a very real aspect of what occured just last year. And I actually know the people that were involved on the donating end of it. There had to be a family witness. I don't know if it was a "hospital" specific thing. Perhaps that is not always the case. It was the case in their instance.