Organ Donation

[skegblade]

Both OH and myself agree that what's needed can be used when we kick the old bucket. Hopefully not for a long while yet. Neither of us would have any objections to our three kids doing the same.

[vertangie]

I find the whole subject difficult to think about, the idea of loss of loved ones is something that just makes me too sad. But that's why I like the idea of Donor cards as it allows you to make that decision when you're feeling strong enough to do so and as such I'd have no problem with my body parts being used (assuming I haven't polluted them to much by then).

There was a very interesting doco I saw about some people picking up memories from the people they had been given organs from, it was quite compelling but I'm not sure, even if that were the case that wouldn't bother me, might bother them if they start dreaming in programming languages like me though

My Mum said that she's going to get one of those diamonds made out of her ashes for once she's gone. I really like that idea, after any of her useful organs have been used first of course.

As far as I'm concerned it's the memory of the person that counts, it's not like I'm going to want to do anything with their heart, lungs or kidneys etc.

Still fingers crossed that we get good long healthy lives.

[littleweed]

Well, I opted in years ago for myself but not to make the decision for any o
ne else
I don't think even medical science will want my body, I'm not over keen myself!

Does your friend know how much these life diamonds cost Flum? Not cheap. I saw the prog. on them too.

[TPeers]

To add another little devils thought.......

Is this plan a good excuse to get around 'theaving' medical practitioners who remove parts without permission?

I refer to various cases that have hit the press in the last few years of children in particular who have had organs removed, without parental permission, after their death.

I express no opinion one way or the other.......

[valmarg]

I think you have to be under 40 years of age for your organs to be of any potential use for transplanting (cornea excepted). I think most people under that age would be agreeable for this to happen.

The thing I find distressing about this proposal, is that this government, having taxed at an unprecedented rate, is now telling you that even your body is not your own, unless you 'opt out'.


PS

littleweed your signature aboud being Derbyshire born, etc.

The saying we had (in Staffordshire) was

Derbyshire born, Derbyshire bred
Strong in the arm, and *wick in the head.

*wick = quick

valmarg

[laura g]

To add another little devils thought.......

Is this plan a good excuse to get around 'theaving' medical practitioners who remove parts without permission?

More than that I think its because not enough people 'opt in' and when the time comes, families having to make a very hard decision cannot - or will not -do it.

i'm very pro donation as is OH. my mum 'doesnt want to be chopped about' and refuses to talk about it. what is it about death and dying and clamming up? biggest common denominator as far as i'm concerned. we're all going to do it. cant ignore it.

Many years ago i ran a temp desk at an employment agency. we had a regular job to supply temporary staff to a local hospital - to wash/prepare dead bodies in the morgue.

only people we could get to do it were older african-caribbean ladies. have absolutely no in depth knowledge of their culture or religion - only that they saw the job as a tremendous honour and couldnt believe that they were being paid to do it.

[Flummery]

Does your friend know how much these life diamonds cost Flum? Not cheap. I saw the prog. on them too.

She's not short of a bob or two!

[The Doctor]

I'm going to play devil's advocate a little and say I think a fundamental point has been missed here. Whether organ donation is an opt-in or out system (personally I believe it should stay as opt-in for several reasons, and I don't) the operations themselves cannot be performed without BLOOD, something that is already in short supply. The organs are useless without it!

How many of the people here telling us organ donation should be an opt-out system regularly give blood? If not, why not?

I give blood voluntarily and believe it should stay so. I don't expect praise for doing it, but it is my choice and something I can do while I'm alive. I have done so since I was 18, and it is also partly the reason I feel justified in opting out of organ donation. I am already doing something to help, how many people critical of the "donor opt-out's" can say the same?

[valmarg]

Well Doctor, I gave blood every six months from from May 1975 until June 1991. I should have donated in November 1991, and collected my silver badge.

I was so offensively humiliated by the doctor in charge, that I didn't get my silver badge, and I've never been back since.

Until that time I used to rope in friends and family to give blood, and got quite a few donors signed up.

After the way I was treated, I'm not surprised blood is in short supply!!!

valmarg

[zebedee]

Sorry Doc, but I have to come back at you here. The operations CAN be performed without blood. The important thing is that the organs and the recipient are given volume expanders which carry oxygen, such as Oxygenated Fluorocarbon liquid. Apparently more and more surgeons are performing bloodless surgery as it aids them by keeping theoperation sites clearer.

[TPeers]

The things one can learn on a gardening forum!

Doctor - I am also an ex blood donor - the local units only have sessions across school chuckout and early evening - times I simply cannot make no matter how much I might want to - and given I am a universal donor, it would be nice to continue! Also, I am very tired of my children being attacked when ever I try and make these sessions - I have no where else to 'leave' them and twice they have been physically attacked by other, older kids while sitting quietly waiting for me!

[Littleweeme]

If people HAD to opt out then maybe we as people would take the whole thing more seriously. I think organ donation should talked about more in schools from what it is, to who is helped and why, and what it means to be healthy etc. I dont think it should be a one time deal either. Each year the child progresses they should be reminded of it once again with maybe annual figures or statistics as the government is so keen on having and educating our future society.

Then when they are mature adults/18 whichever comes first then they can make an educated and informed decision to opt out.

I carried a donor card for years but slowly it was left indoors and subsequently lost but no-one knew my wishes and to be honest we shouldn't have to let our nearest and dearest know our choices and rely on them to have the final say because at the end of the day not every one is happy their loved ones are giving up their organs.

Only this year have I registered online and got my donor card sent out.

I do believe people should opt out though but I also believe it should start with education of the facts in school.

Soap box dismounted because i'm starting to ramble

[Littleweeme]

Oh and I don't give blood because I am not up to the minimum weight and I struggle to put weight on, otherwise I would. I'd also like to register on the bone marrow donor list but alas I am still too light in weight and I have ongoing lower back pain therefore I am medically, an unsuitable candidate.

[zebedee]

This is one of those decisions that has to be made well in advance, isn't it? Family's should talk about it, discuss all the implications, and make fully considered decisions well in advance. All too often this choice has to be made when the necessity arises and emotions are all screwed anyway.

[kernowyon]

Sorry Doc, but I have to come back at you here. The operations CAN be performed without blood. The important thing is that the organs and the recipient are given volume expanders which carry oxygen, such as Oxygenated Fluorocarbon liquid. Apparently more and more surgeons are performing bloodless surgery as it aids them by keeping theoperation sites clearer.

i work in a blood transfusion lab, and i have not seen any drop off in the requirement for blood to cover operations, in fact the blood usage levels are increasing, also the medical doctors use blood as a means of early discharge, 'top them up and ship them out'. as for shortages, we recently had blood delivered to us from scotland and leeds because the south thames region had dwindling supplies. if you don't do it PLEASE GIVE BLOOD, it really does make a difference.