Are you an organ donor?

PostAre you an organ donor? by **Igor** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:34 pm

3 weeks ago, a friend of mine was in a car accident, and unfortunately she died. When I went to her funeral, her mother told me that her organs saved 4 lives, and her corneas were used to repair someones eyesight. There are approximately 62,250,000 people in this country. Only 25% of them are on the organ donor register. As of today, 7,906 people are waiting for organ transplants that will save their lives.

I've been on the register for about 6 years now, and have pledged all usable organs, including my corneas, for donation. I carry my card in my wallet, and a copy in my car. I have never been able to understand why someone would not want to help others live when they are gone.

Currently, the system is an opt-in affair; people have to confirm they want their organs donated by joining the register. A much better system would be the opt-out, a system currently in use in many countries.

Opt-in or Opt-out?

Gordon Brown backs automatic organ donation

What are all your thoughts on this? Are you on the register? If so, why? Are you not on the register? If so, why?

Would you accept a donated organ?

With the prevalent belief on this forum that when we die our meat sacks rot in the ground, I would have thought most, if not all of the users on this forum would have no problems with being on the register.

Do you back an Opt-out system?

If you are not on the register, but have no problems with being on it, then if I could ask you to take 10 minutes signing up. Those 10 minutes could result in someone else getting to live in the unfortunate event of your death.

SIGN UP HERE

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **SEP** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:36 pm

I'm registered. Lost my card though.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Cuttooth** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:37 pm

There's an episode of Six Feet Under which has turned me off of donating any part of my eyes. I would consider donating the rest of my organs however but I haven't been compelled to register.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Lee** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:37 pm

I've registered to give all my stuff away when I die because I won't need 'em and if I can help someone who does that's great.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Oh Teh Noes** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:37 pm

I'm registered for everything except my corneas. I don't like the idea of someone else having parts of my eyes.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **SEP** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:39 pm

Incidentally, sorry to hear about your friend. It's always tragic when someone dies in such awful circumstances, but I hope her friends and family can take some small comfort in the fact that so many others have lived, or had a better quality of life because of her.

I donate blood, and if a member of my family or a friend needed bone marrow or an organ that I've got two of, then I'd happily donate.

I don't however wish to donate my organs when I die. Something about it wierds me out. I think it's the fear that the doctors are more likley to write you off if they can get a healthy set of organs from you.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Curls** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:39 pm

I'm registered. Just think, if i die...some of me will live on! At first i REALLY didn't like the idea....but after a long hard think about it, i ticked to give away everything. Probably one of the hardest decisions i've made.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Igor** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:43 pm

If you are unhappy about giving your organs away, I assume you would also not accept someone else's organs? That would only make sense, right?

And MCN, thanks. The fact that an 8 year old girl, a 60 year old gran, a 22 year old nursing student and a 32 year old father got to live as a result of her death is some comfort to her family.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **JiggerJay** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:46 pm

I am registered for everything, provided it still all works, I cant be sentimentally attached to stuff like my eyes if i am dead, tbh i find the whole purpose of wasting in the ground to be wasteful, i believe everyone should be on the register, but then again i believe everyone should give blood at least twice a year (except for people with aids or other deseases obviously!)

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **SEP** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:46 pm

Igor wrote:If you are unhappy about giving your organs away, I assume you would also not accept someone else's organs? That would only make sense, right?

And MCN, thanks. The fact that an 8 year old girl, a 60 year old gran, a 22 year old nursing student and a 32 year old father got to live as a result of her death is some comfort to her family.

I can imagine it would be. Also consider how many relatives of those people have also had their lives enriched and improved by those people being saved. Imagine the parents of the 8 year old, and how devastated they would be had her life not been saved, or the 32 year old father's children.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Godzilla** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:48 pm

I am

Only thing they are not having is my eyes, if I come back as a zombie, I don't want to start bumping into stuff.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Xeno** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:02 pm

I have been registered for some time and they can take what ever they want as long as I'm dead. The fact that I found my dad last week just reaffirmed that we are just a piece of meat once we die.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **SEP** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:03 pm

Xeno wrote:I have been registered for some time and they can take what ever they want as long as I'm dead. The fact that I found my dad last week just reaffirmed that we are just a piece of meat once we die.

How are you holding up, mate?

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Xeno** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:06 pm

Not bad to be honest. Cremation this friday but there is a lot of paper work to sort and then we have to finish sorting my dads place out. My bro in Ireland wants to see my dad before he is put in the coffin, we have told him that it's not a nice view but I suppose he has to see him to say good bye.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **LewisD** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:07 pm

I'm an Organ Donor.
To women that I sleep with.

Nurmsayin!

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **Xeno** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:07 pm

LewisD wrote:I'm an Organ Donor.
To women that I sleep with.

Nurmsayin!

John Wayne Bobbit does.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **SEP** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:08 pm

Xeno wrote:Not bad to be honest. Cremation this friday but there is a lot of paper work to sort and then we have to finish sorting my dads place out. My bro in Ireland wants to see my dad before he is put in the coffin, we have told him that it's not a nice view but I suppose he has to see him to say good bye.

It would only be fair for your brother to see your father. If he didn't, he would spend the rest of his life regretting it. He's going to need closure, and a chance to say his farewells.

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **aayl1** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:09 pm

Yeah, I signed up. I figure I won't need them, someone else can have 'em. I also feel an opt-out affair would be better.

Incidentally Xeno, I've been away - if you don't mind what's the full story you hinted at above?

PostRe: Are you an organ donor? by **LewisD** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:12 pm

In all seriousness though, I'd like to sign up.
And I've often thought about it.

But my parents have a bit of a thing against it.
They don't mind me signing up for it, as long as I don't give away my eyes, lungs or heart, Because:
"You'll need them in the next life"

:roll:

Could sign up and not tell them.
Though I have a feeling my heart and liver won't be too good for usage

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