**Organ Donation**

Just wondering if many are registered anywhere?

Also, what do you think about this?

Just wondering if many are registered anywhere?

Also, what do you think about this?

I have an organ donation card I keep in my purse at all times, it is listed on my driver license, and I am registered with the State of Arizona as a donor.

I've really been thinking long and hard about giving a kidney to someone. But I just don't know how to determine who. Very hard decision.

I am not registered. I would like to become an organ donor though.

I have gone through the process of donating organs. It was simple. And a very worthwhile service.

For those who are interested please lookup The Kidney Foundation.

My doctor knows my wishes and it's also on my driver's license that I'm a potential organ donor. Not that my family is happy with that...

[CathRN]

I am registered and carry a donor card in my purse at all times. My family and friends know of my decision.

My mother is a 11 year heart transplant recipient, she has not been doing well this past year, but her heart is fine.

In my public speaking class, organ donation was my topic for the persuasion speech. I handed out donor cards there and all but one person stated their intentions to donate after the speech.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I'm a registered organ donor.

Take all the parts you want. What am i going to use them for when i'm dead?

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

You can go to www.donatelife.net and sign for your own state. (Just saw this on TV on the Dr. Phil show.):)

In Belgium and several other European countries Organ donation is done exactly the oppostie- consent is implied unless someone "opts out" of the system. I do wish the US would adopt this. It would still allow those who do not want to donate the freedom to not donate, but for all those people who did not fill out an intention form...

And as a depressing afterthought. Usually if a family is dead set against donation, regardless of what it says on your drivers license, your organs will stay with you- so speak kindly and at length with your family members!!!

I signed my donar card and I told my mother what I wanted, not only about donation but also about what medical treatments I would want and and when it is time to let me go.

I think it is important to let everyone know what you want.

In Belgium and several other European countries Organ donation is done exactly the oppostie- consent is implied unless someone "opts out" of the system.

I think things should be that way. more lives would be saved.

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

Katie Bell is right on! We had a nurse come and speak to us about organ donation.....he has been in the feild for almost twenty years. He told us that it is the hardest and most rewarding job he has ever had.

Most times, you only have a small window of time when someone passes away unexpectantly to approach the family about organ donation. He said that many are not receptive secondary to their traumatic loss and take offense. He also drilled the point home to speak with your family about it and make sure your wishes are well known, because even if the deceased is listed as an organ donor, they will not take the organs if the family refuses.

Hearing his stories about successful transplants and the recipients getting to meet the families of the donors......brought everyone to tears that day. I am solid in the fact that if anyone can use my organs, they are welcome to have them. But I can't part with anything right now.....I hope people don't see that as selfish, but I have two kidneys and one may shut down someday. I need the spare.

I'm a registered organ donor.

Take all the parts you want. What am i going to use them for when i'm dead?

My sister is SUCH a twit! She refused for the longest time to be an organ donor because she was afraid that whatever she donated in this life, she would come up short in the next incarnation.

I finally reminded her that being Christian... maybe whatever she *refused* to donate in this life, would be jeopardized in the next?

That got her to thinking and since all she can think of is herself she is in quite the quandary now. (rolls eyes)

I am registered and firmly believe in organ donation. My family knows and most of my family members feel the same way. I know my wishes will be respected. I even have a t-shirt that says "Don't take your organs to heaven because heaven knows we need them here".

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

I have gone through the process of donating organs. It was simple. And a very worthwhile service.

For those who are interested please lookup The Kidney Foundation.

You are to be commended, whiskeygirl.:)

I would never be an organ donor.

The system of organ donation itself is mercenary and cut-throat (no pun intended.)

Just the other day, I saw an ad on TV about a country (can't recall which one) where people's organs had been taken without their consent.

I have worked in ICU years ago and I personally know that if you are a donor, you will not be treated as aggressively as someone who is not a donor.

I have seen this with my own eyes and I know it to be a fact.

Then there is the issue of the co$t$ of the surgery; who is getting rich here? Organ donation is just that - DONATION.

Who is making the big bucks? Doctors, hospitals?

Something to think about...........:uhoh21:

I'm a registered organ donor. My family knows and agrees with my wishes.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I have worked in ICU years ago and I personally know that if you are a donor, you will not be treated as aggressively as someone who is not a donor.

I have seen this with my own eyes and I know it to be a fact.

Then there is the issue of the co$t$ of the surgery; who is getting rich here? Organ donation is just that - DONATION.

Who is making the big bucks? Doctors, hospitals?

Something to think about...........:uhoh21:

It is certainly not like that everywhere.

It is certainly not like that everywhere.

Amen to that. From what I've heard, the subject of organ donation often isn't even broached until the patient is determined to be brain dead. I don't know how much more aggressively they could treat someone at that point. As for who gets rich... well, I know for a fact it is a heck of a lot cheaper to pay for a kidney transplant than dialysis.

I'm an organ donor, but my mom is no longer in favor of it. Not sure why--I think she read somewhere that you have to be alive when they harvest your organs.

So family can override the donor status. Oh, goodie. I wouldn't be surprised if Mom objected and they decided not to take my organs. I wanted to be cremated, too, but my parents want to have a place to mourn me. Well, take my ashes and plant a tree in them. Oy.