[missboo622]

I am an RN doing the BSN bridge and I am doing a paper on "Organ Donation". What I am curious about is what reasons families have given as to why they do not want to donate their loved ones organs (or why they do want to donate). Any story, statistic or tid-bit is helpful!!

Thanks in advance!

[super_rn]

I did an ethical paper on this not too long ago. I suggest that you find journal articles relating to it and your paper will appear much stronger. I found that the main reason organs are not donated is because the lack of education. Not only with families, but with staff who aren't aware of sure how to go about addressing the issue. Good luck!

[Angeljoy]

I have a story, if this helps...
My sister, a nurse anesthetists now, got sick and needed a kidney transplant when she was about 22 in 1991 or so. My dad gave her a kidney. My mom really wanted to, but she has high blood pressure.
So, about 2 1/2 years ago she got sick again and needed another transplant. I gave her my kidney in march 2003.
I guess when she first got sick, the dr's suggested to have a family member donate rather than wait for a cadaver. I was only 13 and they wouldn't even consider me. But since then i had always been told i would be the next to give.

I wanted to give my kidney because i didnt want my sister to die. I think thats reason enough. But i also was terrified and thought about why i shouldn't. The day after surgery, i also wondered why i would subject my healthy body to this horrific pain. But then i thought, i would have done anything to help my sister.

I hope this was helpful. If you need anything further, feel free to send me a private message (PM)-Amy

[Daytonite]

I have found that the people who refuse organ donation have very strong opinions about it and think it is wrong, or are following their loved one's wishes.

[missboo622]

Originally Posted by Angeljoy

I have a story, if this helps...
My sister, a nurse anesthetists now, got sick and needed a kidney transplant when she was about 22 in 1991 or so. My dad gave her a kidney. My mom really wanted to, but she has high blood pressure.
So, about 2 1/2 years ago she got sick again and needed another transplant. I gave her my kidney in march 2003.
I guess when she first got sick, the dr's suggested to have a family member donate rather than wait for a cadaver. I was only 13 and they wouldn't even consider me. But since then i had always been told i would be the next to give.

I wanted to give my kidney because i didnt want my sister to die. I think thats reason enough. But i also was terrified and thought about why i shouldn't. The day after surgery, i also wondered why i would subject my healthy body to this horrific pain. But then i thought, i would have done anything to help my sister.

I hope this was helpful. If you need anything further, feel free to send me a private message (PM)-Amy

Amy - Thanks! This is some of the insight I was hoping to get!!! I appreciate you sharing your story with me!

[missboo622]

Originally Posted by Daytonite

I have found that the people who refuse organ donation have very strong opinions about it and think it is wrong, or are following their loved one's wishes.

Have you ever heard them give reasons why they think that it is wrong?? I am trying to learn the reasons why people don't donate. I know a big one that I hear from people is "It's against my religion." I hope to provide some examples from different religious groups and organizations to educate a person as to the stand that religion/organization takes on organ donation. I think that some reasons that people give for not donating are a "knee-jerk" reaction the issue.

Thanks for replying! I appreciate the information!

[Fun2Care]

My sister will not list herself as a donor. She just has a general thought of, "I want to be buried with all of me there."

Whatever.

I am listed as a donor, however.

My thoughts are, let someone else live a healthy life if they can by using my organs after I pass.

[gwenith]

You wouldn't get teh progam "Enough Rope" in the US - basically it is a talk show but the host - Andrew Denton has a segement each week called "show and tell" where people can tell thier stories.

This the the transcript of one interview where this couple decided to come on the show following the death of thier 7 year old daughter from a sudden SAH. They agreed to donate her organs and then came on the show when they learnt that she was the only child donor in the state of Victoria that year.

I warn you watching the show brought tears to my eyes and the transcript is almost as powerful. I think though, you might find it useful.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/...s/s1404818.htm

[Daytonite]

Originally Posted by Fun2Care

I am listed as a donor, however. . .My thoughts are, let someone else live a healthy life if they can by using my organs after I pass.

I was told as a supervisor that we had to have permission for organ donation from a person's next of kin or who ever holds the medical power of attorney. I know of one nurse whose husband has told her he would not permit them to take her organs in donation if she were ever brain dead, so she has had someone else in her family specifically named as her durable power of attorney for medical decisions who knows her wishes on this and has promised to follow them despite what her husband has made very clear. Once you are brain dead, your legal next of kin (over-ridden by your durable power of attorney for medical decisions) are the ones who the hospital will go to for a decision about your organs. Were you aware that after your death your legal next of kin "own" your body and have control over it's dispostion?

[Fun2Care]

Everyone knows my wishes. I don't think anyone has a problem with organ donation in my family, except my sister, and she just feels that way with her own body.

Originally Posted by Daytonite

I was told as a supervisor that we had to have permission for organ donation from a person's next of kin or who ever holds the medical power of attorney. I know of one nurse whose husband has told her he would not permit them to take her organs in donation if she were ever brain dead, so she has had someone else in her family specifically named as her durable power of attorney for medical decisions who knows her wishes on this and has promised to follow them despite what her husband has made very clear. Once you are brain dead, your legal next of kin (over-ridden by your durable power of attorney for medical decisions) are the ones who the hospital will go to for a decision about your organs. Were you aware that after your death your legal next of kin "own" your body and have control over it's dispostion?