After reading Irreplaceable (see review here) by Stephen Lovely and seeing how this subject affected the different family members, I wondered how others feel about donating organs. Are you an organ donor? Is someone in your family? Are you uncomfortable like Alex was with the idea of taking pieces of your loved one and giving them away? Or are you like Berniece, Isabel's mother, and take comfort in knowing that part of your family is still "out there"?
Personally, I am an organ donor. If parts of me can help someone else after I am gone, then that is a good thing. As far as members of my own family, they have to make up their own minds and go with their feelings and I will support their decision. My sister passed away when she was 45 years old due to a faulty heart valve. She donated her corneas. I think I could relate to Berniece because I too, take some comfort in knowing her donation is helping someone else see the world she cannot be here to see. I like to think a little bit of my beloved sister is still on this earth.
Let me hear your thoughts!
I'm all for organ donation. Why take it with you?
ReplyDeleteI'm an organ donor, too. I figure when I'm gone, I won't need them. Why not help someone who does? Everyone else in my family is an organ donor, too, so there wouldn't be any arguments over it.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Personally, I'm an organ donor. When my father passed away in an accident a few years back, I had to make the decision for him since he had never indicated a preference. But knowing him as I did, it felt safe to assume that he felt similar to me, so I signed the paperwork before we disconnected the life support. I later received some beautiful letters from the families of those who received his corneas and skin grafts (due to the nature of the accident, there weren't many organs that were usable to begin with, but still, it was gratifying to know people benefited from this.) It's kind of like knowing that his life was really worth something and he left this world making it a slightly better place.
ReplyDeleteNow my mom, on the other hand, always wonders "why someone would want the eyes of the person who didn't see the other car coming in the first place." Bad humor, I know, but it still makes me laugh every time.
What can I say....I come from a strange family. :)
I'm all for organ donation too. The way I figure it is if I can give someone life or a better life when I'm gone, then I've done something pretty special for them and their families. In turn, my life means more too because of it, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI think organ donation is a wonderful opportunity to give life with your own death. What better way to leave the world?
ReplyDeleteI can't even discuss this with people who won't do it because I don't get their reasoning at all!
I've been an organ donor since my grandfather received a new kidney in 1997.
ReplyDeleteJust renewed my driver's license today at the MVA and they wanted to know too!
ReplyDeleteI figure when I can no longer use my bits and pieces, I would be happy if someone else can. You can't take the hardware with you.
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ReplyDeleteLOL, Bingo
Over half of the 100,000 Americans on the national transplant waiting list will die before they get a transplant. Most of these deaths are needless. Americans bury or cremate about 20,000 transplantable organs every year. Over 6,000 of our neighbors suffer and die needlessly every year as a result.
ReplyDeleteThere is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition.
Kaye, I'm so sorry for the loss of your sister. I'm also an organ donor. I won't need them and someone else could die waiting for them. My neighbor was killed several years ago when his tractor rolled on him. He was a wonderful man and although his organs weren't viable for transplant his family donated his bones and some skin. They were totally selfless while suffering from their greatest heartache. He would have been so pleased.
ReplyDeleteI am an organ donor too. I hope that if something happens to me, my family will honor that decision. I have several friends who were recipients of organs. I will forever be thankful to those families for giving them a second chance on life and giving my friend's families more time with their moms. :)
ReplyDeleteThey didn't even take any blood, Kaye. I am a "tough stick" and although I have a nice bruise on my arm to prove it, they never got any blood out of me. They were going to send me to the lab. I am worried, however, about them charging me for the office visit. If that happens you will hear the screaming from there.
ReplyDelete