Are you an organ donor?

Currently I am not registered as an organ donor.  For the first time in my life, I am seriously giving it some thought. In the last six months there have been two experiences that have touched me to the very depths of my soul.  The first experience was the loss of a teen in one of our local high schools.  His family’s willingness to donate his organs saved eight lives.  My second experience is happening right now with a dear friend who is waiting for a transplant.

How many people are waiting?

How many lives could have been saved if more people became organ donors?  You can simply register online.  Then why don’t people do it?  I started to look up people’s fears, the myths and the information that exists online for organ donation.  I also had to look inside my own heart.  The number one fear seems to be this misconception that you won’t get the best care in the hospital if you are an organ donor.  It’s a fear that is unfounded.  Doctor’s are there to save your life, not to end it for a high-risk procedure that may save another person’s life.

I sat here for an hour and read and read and read.   The truth is that considering becoming an organ donor makes one reflect on their own death. That scares people.  Others who are already donors reflect not on their death but the gift of life that they can provide.   Once you experience brain death, there is no pain, there is no consciousness and there truly is no life.  Your body is kept alive by machines.  So why not register?

Here are some of the common myths (also in the link above) taken from the website Gift of Life and paraphrased by yours truly.

  1.  Doctor’s won’t save my life if I’m a donor.  – They will do everything they can to save your life and will only proceed if all life-saving efforts fail.  Permission must be given by the deceased’s family.
  2. If I am registered, doctor may remove my organs before I pass. – Brain death is the medically, legal and morally accepted determination of death.  Again, the family is presented with an opportunity to donate and a series of tests are given to ensure brain death.
  3. Organs can be bought or sold on the black market.  It takes a team of medical professionals to address the complexity of transplantation.  We watch too much TV.
  4. I am too old to be a donor.  False.
  5. I have a history of medical illness so no one one could benefit.  False.  A determination is made by medical professionals and is case-by-case.
  6. I don’t need to tell my family that I’d like to be a donor because it’s already in my will.  No.  By the time anyone reads your will it’s too late.  Tell your family.
  7. My family will have to pay if I become a donor.  False.
  8. My religion does not support organ or tissue donation. Most religions consider it an act of charity.
  9. I can’t have an open casket at my funeral.  False.  Clothes and funeral homes have the utmost respect and funeral traditions can be upheld.
  10. Rich and famous people get moved on top of the waiting list.  False.  The organ allocation and distribution system is blind to wealth and social status.
  11. The recipient will know who I am.  Your family can request or agree to releasing your information and you can even write a letter.  If you do NOT want that you can be reassured because the norm is extreme patient privacy for both donor families and recipients.

Becoming an organ donor is truly a gift of life.  Are you an organ donor?  I would love to hear from you even if you are not.   Do you know someone who has received a transplant?  Tell your story.  I’m seriously considering registering but before I do, I need to sit down and discuss with my husband and children to inform them of my wishes.

Personally, for me, it may be time to register to give this gift of live and love.

4 responses to “Are you an organ donor?”

  1. Kristen W. Avatar
    Kristen W.

    I registered to be an organ donor when I got my learners permit. I had no hesitation and have never had any second thoughts. If I die and others can benefit from my body, that is the greatest gift I can give.

  2. Brenda P. Avatar
    Brenda P.

    I have also been thinking on this recently, for the same reasons as you. This blog post has done some of the work for me so THANK YOU. I am definitely leaning in that direction.

  3. AnnMarie Avatar
    AnnMarie

    I am an organ donor! I registered when I applied for my drivers license. I guess I’m more of a pragmatist…. we are all going to go at some point. I thought if my life was taken early why not give to others that can be saved….

  4. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I am an organ donor, always have been. I would like my organs to help others. But here is another thing to consider. My husband is not an organ donor because of a personal experience he had. His sister was an organ donor and was in a car accident the day before he graduated from college. She wasn’t killed instantly, but was on life support. He and his dad had to make the decision to take her off life support and I can tell you that because she was an organ donor, there was pressure from the hospital staff for them to make the decision. Not only that, when they did make that decision, they were on them about what organs they could take: yes her liver; no, not her eyes,etc. I am sure the staff wasn’t trying to be greedy but this is a time sensitive issue. My husband and his father were grieving and this was very difficult. He chooses not to be an organ donor because it was hard on him and especially his father and he doesn’t want to put any of his loved ones through that. Always two sides to every issue.

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Lorraine Lundqvist

A blog highlighting my journey through midlife and beyond. Join me as I enjoy the ups and humorous downs of life over 40.

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