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August 09, 2007

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.

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