Organ and tissue donation

catherine1979

I'm specifically wondering about organ and tissue donation after brain/cardiac death, not living donors.

Do you support organ and tissue donation? Why or why not?

futiledevices

I fully support it. A dead person doesn't need their organs, so why not use them to save the life of another?

mikajoanow

Yep, as far as I am concerned they can take whatever they want from me.

If it were one of my children I would let them as well.

My husband does not want to do this. For whatever reason he doesn't like the idea of it, so I would respect his wishes.

nehtaeh

I am on the organ donor list. I also plan to donate my body to science when I die.

For the living, I donate my blood when I can and am in the process of getting on the bone marrow transplant list.

All in the name of humanity. I like helping others - this is the way I can do it right now.

catherine1979

I am on the organ donor list. I also plan to donate my body to science when I die.

For the living, I donate my blood when I can and am in the process of getting on the bone marrow transplant list.

All in the name of humanity. I like helping others - this is the way I can do it right now.

Just as an aside- most medical schools don't accept organ and/or tissue donors to their anatomical pathology programs. The body has to be sufficiently intact that it can serve the purpose of teaching and be preserved for an extended period. They also don't usually accept major traumas or burn victims. It's something you might want to look into so you can make a decision regarding which way to go.

nehtaeh

I am on the organ donor list. I also plan to donate my body to science when I die.

For the living, I donate my blood when I can and am in the process of getting on the bone marrow transplant list.

All in the name of humanity. I like helping others - this is the way I can do it right now.

Just as an aside- most medical schools don't accept organ and/or tissue donors to their anatomical pathology programs. The body has to be sufficiently intact that it can serve the purpose of teaching and be preserved for an extended period. They also don't usually accept major traumas or burn victims. It's something you might want to look into so you can make a decision regarding which way to go.

I've looked at the couple schools in my area and they ask that on the forms. I've not filled them out yet - I guess I just don't expect to die soon. Really, I am not pushed one way or another - whatever direction my body will serve the most purpose and help it can go. If my heart or something will benefit someone better than my entire body to the school then so be it. Who knows, I may not have that choice and my organs cannot be donated.

MikeSEA

I'm having trouble thinking of a rational reason to object to it. I think people are free to object to it on religious grounds if they wish, but that's not rational--nor does it have to be. Really, though, that objection only goes so far as their own bodies.

That said, no I have objections to it as far as *my* body is concerned.

catherine1979

I'm having trouble thinking of a rational reason to object to it. I think people are free to object to it on religious grounds if they wish, but that's not rational--nor does it have to be. Really, though, that objection only goes so far as their own bodies.

That said, no I have objections to it as far as *my* body is concerned.

Most major religions don't have any official objection to organ and tissue donation. In some cases the process can interfere with burial, for example where a burial is supposed to take place in a relatively short time frame, but most major religious denominations don't object to the process itself.

TheRoadDog

I am signed up as an organ donor., but that's my choice and I believe everyone else can make their own choice. There is no right or wrong.

catherine1979

I am signed up as an organ donor., but that's my choice and I believe everyone else can make their own choice. There is no right or wrong.

I agree, there is no right or wrong. Organ and tissue donation is not a black or white issue. I'm just wondering whether people support the idea of it, and their rationale if they are so inclined to give it.

kit_katty

I'm listed as an organ donor. I also thought I should throw this out, very very very few people who die and are organ donors actually can have their organs used, there are very stringent guidelines about condition of organs, how long since the person passed away, circumstances that could lead to less than optimal organs. So to me, the more people who sign up, the better. That said, everyone has the right to choose. But honestly, what good are our organs to us, after we die?

TheRoadDog

I'm listed as an organ donor. I also thought I should throw this out, very very very few people who die and are organ donors actually can have their organs used, there are very stringent guidelines about condition of organs, how long since the person passed away, circumstances that could lead to less than optimal organs. So to me, the more people who sign up, the better. That said, everyone has the right to choose. But honestly, what good are our organs to us, after we die?

I don't believe a persons' choice to donate or not to donate are relevant to anyone but that person. Could be many reasons?

kit_katty

I'm listed as an organ donor. I also thought I should throw this out, very very very few people who die and are organ donors actually can have their organs used, there are very stringent guidelines about condition of organs, how long since the person passed away, circumstances that could lead to less than optimal organs. So to me, the more people who sign up, the better. That said, everyone has the right to choose. But honestly, what good are our organs to us, after we die?

I don't believe a persons' choice to donate or not to donate are relevant to anyone but that person. Could be many reasons?

True, I wasn't saying that it shouldn't be anyone else's choice, I was just pointing out that I recently learned how few organs are even able to be transplanted.

Each person needs to make their own decision.

It just frustrates me, I knew someone who didn't want to be an organ donor because it wigged him out. That's it. Obviously it's still his choice, but I'd rather someone truly think about the situation and make a more rational decision.

MikeSEA

Most major religions don't have any official objection to organ and tissue donation. In some cases the process can interfere with burial, for example where a burial is supposed to take place in a relatively short time frame, but most major religious denominations don't object to the process itself.

Well, to be frank, it actually doesn't matter what any particular religious organization states. Anyone can claim they have a personal religious objection to having their organs harvested, and it should be valid.

Bahet

Take it all, burn what's left. If I'm so old that the organs are of no more use then donate it to science. If they don't want it, try science fiction.

Elizabeth_C34

Abosolutely. My cousin's life was saved by a lung transplant from someone who passed away and donated their organs. It's a great way to save a life.

Contrarian

They can pretty much do what they want with my body after I'm done with it. No sex, though. That's where I draw the line.

TDGee

Not only does every person need to make the decision for themselves, they must communicate this decision to their loved ones. It is often not enough to only sign the card or register online. If there is any dissent by the surviving family, the potential donor will be removed from consideration. I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Donor Network on a number of occasions over the years. The amount of work necessary to get everything done is mind blowing.
Educate yourselves and your loved ones. Make your choice and share it.

california_peach

I have indicated in all ways that I want my organs donated. It is on my license and in my will and all my over 18 heirs/relatives know my wishes. I will haunt anyone who stands in the way of this happening.

I torn my ACL and had to have it reconstructed 4 years ago with donor tissue. Every step I take is a testement to the person who made the decision to donate his/her tissue.

BrettPGH

They can pretty much do what they want with my body after I'm done with it. No sex, though. That's where I draw the line.

Ooh David Cross has a hilarious joke I can't even begin to repeat...

I'm in too. Organ donor who will donate his body to science if they'll take it. I'm dead, what's the point? If I can be used to save another life even after I'm gone well I can't think of much better than that.

nehtaeh

Not only does every person need to make the decision for themselves, they must communicate this decision to their loved ones. It is often not enough to only sign the card or register online. If there is any dissent by the surviving family, the potential donor will be removed from consideration. I have had the opportunity to work closely with the Donor Network on a number of occasions over the years. The amount of work necessary to get everything done is mind blowing.
Educate yourselves and your loved ones. Make your choice and share it.

Thank you! I need to make my wishes much more well known.

Regmama

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

BondBomb

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

Yeah..that seems like a reasonable argument.

KimmyEB

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

LMFAO!! Wow. Just wow. Where do you come up with this ****? That's nothing more than a "Letter to the Editor." No sources, just some random person spouting that stuff. Clearly I will now judge everyone in the medical community because Richard O'Connor from Pearl City, IL shared his propaganda.

Anyway, to the original topic: I am an organ donor. I'll be dead, I don't really care what anyone does to me after I'm dead. If I can help someone else out, then so be it. If not, well, then, at least I tried.

Regmama

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

LMFAO!! Wow. Just wow. Where do you come up with this ****? That's nothing more than a "Letter to the Editor." No sources, just some random person spouting that stuff. Clearly I will now judge everyone in the medical community because Richard O'Connor from Pearl City, IL shared his propaganda.

Anyway, to the original topic: I am an organ donor. I'll be dead, I don't really care what anyone does to me after I'm dead. If I can help someone else out, then so be it. If not, well, then, at least I tried.

Here's an article from the New England Journal of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0804474?query=TOC&&&

KimmyEB

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

LMFAO!! Wow. Just wow. Where do you come up with this ****? That's nothing more than a "Letter to the Editor." No sources, just some random person spouting that stuff. Clearly I will now judge everyone in the medical community because Richard O'Connor from Pearl City, IL shared his propaganda.

Anyway, to the original topic: I am an organ donor. I'll be dead, I don't really care what anyone does to me after I'm dead. If I can help someone else out, then so be it. If not, well, then, at least I tried.

Here's an article from the New England Journal of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0804474?query=TOC&&&

That article leaves much to be desired. Also, I tried to check the sources that whoever wrote that linked to, but they just kept taking me back to the same article. Furthermore, there's a disclaimer that says, basically "opinion only." I'm certainly not a medical professional, but I feel a lot was left out of that article.

fbmandy55

They can pretty much do what they want with my body after I'm done with it. No sex, though. That's where I draw the line.

I like the thought of still getting some after I die..

Bahet

They can pretty much do what they want with my body after I'm done with it. No sex, though. That's where I draw the line.

I like the thought of still getting some after I die..

That's why I'm willing to donate my body to science. I get to get felt up by a hot young doctor.

TerraGirl17

My husband and I are both donors, the only thing he doesn't want donated are his eyes for some reason

catherine1979

That's actually really common- a lot of people stipulate no eyes.

catherine1979

No, I will not donate because the medical community has no consistency on how to define death for those who are donors: http://www.illinoisrighttolife.org/OrganDonorsBeware.htm

LMFAO!! Wow. Just wow. Where do you come up with this ****? That's nothing more than a "Letter to the Editor." No sources, just some random person spouting that stuff. Clearly I will now judge everyone in the medical community because Richard O'Connor from Pearl City, IL shared his propaganda.

Anyway, to the original topic: I am an organ donor. I'll be dead, I don't really care what anyone does to me after I'm dead. If I can help someone else out, then so be it. If not, well, then, at least I tried.

Here's an article from the New England Journal of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0804474?query=TOC&&&

That article leaves much to be desired. Also, I tried to check the sources that whoever wrote that linked to, but they just kept taking me back to the same article. Furthermore, there's a disclaimer that says, basically "opinion only." I'm certainly not a medical professional, but I feel a lot was left out of that article.

I read the article in its entirety and there are some valid points. Determination of brain death is a tricky thing. Most major transplant centers require that the declaration be signed by two neurosurgeons or neurologists who reach the conclusion independently of one another.

At my hospital, we no longer refer to a patient on a ventilator as being on "life support." They are mechanically ventilated because in truth, life is not being supported: death is being delayed. The term life support is not used in cases where death is imminent in the event that the patient is extubated.

I certainly support anyone's right to be a donor or not, it is a personal choice and no one should ever be coerced into a decision, but it make me sad when organizations with a specific agenda propagate misinformation to sway people in one direction or another.