I did a research project about organ donation and I was surprised by the results. I assumed, going into the research, that I would find that they primary reason for people choosing not to donate organs, would be for religuious reasons. What I found was that those who choose not to be a donor, choose so, out of a fear of receiving substandard care in the emergency room (or accident site), if the doctors and paramedics saw that they were organ donors!
Wow, that is surprising. Any
Wow, that is surprising. Any idea what they base those fears on? I would think that no one would even know or ask if they were an organ donor until it was already determined that death was imminent, or something like that.
Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood
Dad's second-hand heart My
Dad's second-hand heart
My father-in-law had 11% heart function and was told he had less than a month to live when, in 1990, he received a heart transplant. The donor was a 19 year-old boy who had died in a motorcycle crash. In addition to saving Dad, this boy's organs saved 4 other lives; 2 who each received one of his kidney's, a woman who received his liver and a man who received his lungs.
That dontaiton not only saved Dad's life, it enabled my children to know a grandfather who otherwise would have been just a picture on the mantle to them. In fact, in the 17 years that he lived after the transplant, Dad walked his daughter down the aisle at her wedding, welcomed 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren into the family, saw his oldest granddaughter graduate college, raised tens of thousands of dollars for community outreach groups, and served as the best man at his son's wedding. We also had 17 years of family Christmases, birthdays, Thanksgiving dinners, anniversaries and other momentous occassions that would not have been possible without the generosity of a family who was going through --- surely --- the most painful day of their lives.
Donations don't just save lives --- they save families. They change the world. They send out ripples that travel on further than we can imagine.
Remember --- you can't take it with you, so be an organ donor!
I became an organ donor only
I became an organ donor only about a year ago after seeing a paticular moving story on the news. I was always hestiant about it because I was afraid an ER doc would jump the gun and pronounce me dead before I really was.
sure, fine, whatever
I have been an organ donor
I have been an organ donor for years, but I hadn't really thought about being given substandard care in order to take my organs. I am sure that could happen, but have faith that it won't. I feel like that is my opportunity to pay it forward. If I cannot live, I would hope that someone else's mother, sister, child, friend could. I also feel like it gives me good karma should someone I love ever be on the receiving end of such a bittersweet gift.
Those are surprising results
Those are surprising results - I never thought about getting substandard care. These days, I'd be lucky just to get seen by an ER doctor in a timely manner!
In your research, did you find the easiest way to sign up as an organ donor?
Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.
You can register online at:
You can register online at:
http://www.azdonorregistry.org/Home.aspx?M=R18
I have mine on my driver's
I have mine on my driver's license, and of course, my family knows my wishes.
I've heard that as well.
I've heard that as well. Although many in the medical field claim that it isn't true, they are afraid that they may not resusitate if they are considered organ donors. I don't believe that is how it is done.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
I too have been an organ
I too have been an organ donor for years. I can see how someone could be hesitant about being a donor out of fear of receiving sub-par care. But wouldnt the family have to make the decision on wether or not to "pull the plug" ??
I am an organ donor, my aunt
I am an organ donor, my aunt is alive today thanks to an organ donor. I never considered not having the best care in the ER if my life were in danger and the doctors saw I was an organ donor.
I fully beleive in being an
I fully beleive in being an organ donor. I read something interesting the other day. They did a study and had being a donor the automatic default, and if you didn't want to you had to physically mark the box on the Driver's Lisence. Organ Donantion went from 30% to 79% or something like that. I think it's what they should do in every state. Sometimes people just don't want to make the decision.
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.
I am a organ donor as well.I
I am a organ donor as well.I have also heard stories of people being afraid.
When I worked at the hospital.I could see how important being a donor is...and how it effects a persons life.The ones who were waitng....it gave them hope!
Wow, I've never thought
Wow, I've never thought about the possibility of receiving substandard care because you chose to be an organ donor. I have been an organ donor since I was 16. I figure when I die, I'm not going to need my organs, so why not donate them.
jesshod is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.
Wow, I've never thought
Wow, I've never thought about the possibility of receiving substandard care because you chose to be an organ donor. I have been an organ donor since I was 16. I figure when I die, I'm not going to need my organs, so why not donate them.
jesshod is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.