Leaving a Legacy

In recent weeks, the bulk of my working time has been taken up with a DVD project. It has, and still is, one of the most challenging projects I have ever taken on singlehandedly. At times I have wondered if I took on too much on my own, but steady work has gradually paid dividends and now the work is nearing an end.

What has made it even more challenging is that when someone asks me what I am working on and I tell them, I often get the reaction:

"Eeeewww!"

Sure, organ donation and transplantation is a pretty heavy subject, but I am surprised so many people react by wanting to avoid the subject at all costs. Even more interesting is that when people actually start to hear some of the stories involved, their stance usually softens and becomes far more sympathetic.

On the face of it, it does seem a shame that so many thousands of healthy organs are buried or burned each year, when they could have been used to either save the lives, or significantly enhance the lives of so many people.

I don't intend to preach here, except to say that it has surprised me that so many people are against transplantation - and that they are either unwilling or unable to offer coherent reasons why.

Having met so many people involved on all sides of donation and transplantation, I am more convinced than ever of the overwhelming good that is being done in the lives of people who might otherwise die. Equally, I am saddened that 450 people die in the UK each year waiting for transplants.

We are no longer in the dark ages with this. Recipients of transplants go on to lead full and productive lives in a majority of cases now. Perhaps it is time to do what we can to help change that social perception form "Eeewww!" to something more positive.

In due course, you will be able to see the film I have made for the Legacy of Life charity. Till then, feel free to visit their web site and download a PDF file of their book "Transforming Lives". It contains many uplifting stories, showing the good that is done through transplantation.

Comments

[Angela]

Don't laugh here but I would always worry that some neurotic (I mean a condition, not a surgeon) doctor may take organs from me before I was really dead. (Like the Genevive Bujold film when Tom Selleck gets bumped off whilst having a routine knee op). I do give blood every three months but haven't been for the past six due to colds etc. That's about as far as I'm prepared to go. Not a lot but better than nout.

[AndyC]

I'm grateful to you, Angela for exhibiting exactly the kind of attitude I have encountered.

Your reason, if I may say so, is far from logical, and seems to be based on an irrational fear that if you carry a donor card a surgeon will jump out from every street corner and harvest your liver. Or something.

Easy for you to dismiss, though, none the less.

How about if your child needed a liver transplant to stay alive, though?

Would you hope that they got a donation before he died?

I suspect that you would.

Let's hope the person who could help your child doesn't suffer from the same irrational fears you do.

The last thing hospital staff want to do is to ask families about organ donation at the time of someone's death - and so very often they don't.

The whole point of going on the UK Transplant Organ Donor Register (www.uktransplant.org.uk) is that it means the question does not have to be asked then, it has all been decided long beforehand.

Families of people who do donate organs after their death, without exception in my experience, report that it is the only positive thing to happen to them out of a terrible situation. For them, the gift of organs to others is the only ongoing comfort they are left with.

Here's another question: If you or someone in your family received an organ transplant that saved their lives - do you think your view of organ donation would change?

Please think long and hard and seriously before putting this issue aside, it could mean life or death for you, or a loved one.

[jac]

You're doing sterling work for Legacy for Life, Andy - not just in your professional capacity but here in blogland dealing empathically with sensitive issues. I am proud to know you.

I am so pleased I spelled legacy correctly, and first time as well. :)

[Liz Curtis]

I've always been pro organ donation. Your work with Legacy of Life has just gone to strengthen that belief. It makes me feel proud that you are involved at this level in something so worthwhile.

[Angela]

Not sure I like you using my children as an example, but I suppose I get your point. I used to be anti blood donorish until my midwife told me my blood was 'special' cos I'm rhesus negative. So I suppose one day I could be 'for' donor donation. I'm pretty easily led so who knows?

[Rebecca]

I have always found this an increasingly difficult subject and one which now evokes more thought, knowing that my granddaughter who has one kidney left is almost certain to lose the other sooner rather than later. I am not saying I would rule it out, especially in the case of family and close friends. None the less I do fear it and have not as yet had the courage to carry a donor card. 'Fear what?', you may ask and you would be right. However, something stops me (I have no explanation) and here I too, sit on the fence, at least for now....

[Angela]

Pleased I'm not alone on this one. And I'd like to say I AM sure I didn't like you using my children as an example to make your point. Let's just hope and pray my family are never in a position to need a transplant.

[Ruby]

It's weird that I have no conflict at all about this. I have absolutely no need for my organs when I'm dead and would want them given to someone else. If they could use every inch of my body in some way that would be great. I've carried a donor card since I got my driver's license at 16 (we carry them with the license where I live). I'm not belittling anyone who does have a conflict, because it certainly seems a common reaction. I think maybe I'm strange. I also don't like the idea of traditional funerals and burying and all that. I'd rather have them use up my body parts that are still good and burn the rest. Then people can remember me in their minds and hearts, and not by going to a gave site and talking to the ground where my body was buried. But I digress.