While transfering my credit cards and what-have-you from my old, beloved pink girlie wallet to my new wallet, what Younger Sister Riddles deemed “a lot more sophisticated – even for you,” I noticed that the ink on the back of my driver’s licence had faded, making it impossible to know how much, in the event something horrible happens to me, I want my organs donated ASAP. They’re sure as hell not gonna do me any good in the great hereafter, and the thought that you can save lives, or help someone see or breathe, or live a happier life is a cause I’m pretty passionate about. So are you an organ donor? If you don’t have a driver’s licence, have you told your family about your wishes? And if you are, have you checked your card lately to make sure the ink hasn’t worn out?
My aunt decided that my grandmother, a sweet, extremely religious Irish-Catholic woman, who died of Alzheimer’s disease with a perfectly healthy body, would have been uncomfortable with being buried without all of her organs. I’m not even close to Catholic, my only experiance it through my father’s family, but can any Catholics out there shed light on why such a decision would have been made? I’d think the concept of saving multiple lives would be more in sync than being buried whole. But hey, I’m bound for purgatory, so what do I know?
Swiddles, you’re going to Purgatory as well ? Cool. Well, probably not, but anyway - I have a feeling it’ll be a major Doper event.
Yup, I’m an organ donor on the same grounds - after my death, I have precious little use for my organs, and if it keeps the overall number of funerals down (in the event, mine is a given, right ?), so much the better. Death sucks.
Besides, like most Danes, I’ll be cremated, so the “intact burial” philosphy is a moot point.
My family is informed, of course - for some reason, the topic came up when I bought my first motorcycle. Over here in Europe, it’s a separate card , BTW, not the drivers license - but I dearly wish they’d introduce that.
Norman, tell you what. You set me up with the Crown Prince, and I’ll make it my first priority as Princess to get the organ donation/driver’s licence merged, m’kay? See ya in Hell, and I mean that in the nicest way possible!
Needless to say, everyone in my family is listed as an organ donor, AND has told their loved ones of this desire.
Cornea recepients are “lucky” in that there is not as much of a shortage, as with organs…primarily because corneas do not need to be blood type matched…I was actually able to schedule my transplant to fit my schedule (it was done as an out patient procedure).
No, she didn’t, as she didn’t anticipate needing to. She was healthy as a horse. However, my father, who has signed his card, says that he, too thinks Nana wouldn’t have wanted it. I think it might have to do with parts of her body being transplanted into non-Catholics, which when they die, could hang her liver in limbo. Then again, I don’t know how the Church feels about any of this.
The Catholic Church has recently come out saying that it’s OK to donate organs, but that it has to be that person’s choice. Assuming that “It’s what he/she would have wanted” doesn’t cut it.
As an aside, we had a few asian Indian kids in high school. They would not consider organ donation for even an instant. My guess is that they were afraid it might mess up the reincarnation cycle.
Although the Church may have re-iterated it’s stance recently…I don’t recall the church ever having a negative stand on organ donation…obviously with the donors explicit permission.
You are correct that there are certain ethnic/religious groups that “are” opposed to donation however…
Many Jews, for example believe that Jewish law forbids donation…most Rabbis & scholars actually say its OK…
On a side not…There is an interesting policy debate happening concerning the process of organ donation.
Some countries, for example assume that a person DOES want to donate, unless he/she explicitly says no (sort of the reverse of the states)…some folks feel that this policy would lead to a greater supply of organs.
Likewise…there is a correlation between states with helmet laws and available organs. States that DON"T have motorcycle helmet laws tend to produce a greater supply of organs…
I have been interested in the policies and issues surrounding organ donation long before it became personal for me. If anybody would like to learn more, I highly recommend the book “Many Sleepless Nights” which covers both the medical and philosophical issues of organ donation…it’s a bit dated by todays standards (1991 I think), but still a great read
My husband and I both have the organ donor designation on our licenses. When our daughter went to get her learner’s permit, she was asked if she wanted to be one. She thought the man asked if she HAD donated organs. Silly child. Anyway, her permit also reads “organ donor.” I’ve tried to make it clear that I want whatever may be useable to be used and the rest can go to some med school if they want it. As long as I don’t wind up as the soup du jour in some bizarre restaurant, I don’t much care what happens to my earthly remains.
I checked the organ donor box. What am I going to do with them after I croak off, anyway? However, as I understand it, you could stamp “Organ Donor” on your forehead, but if your family doesn’t allow it, then you will remain intact. Kinda sucks, and maybe I’m wrong…I hope.
I think there’s also some deal about how long you’ve been dead, etc. - I think most donated organs come from people who die under some type of medical supervision. If they find you in your house after being dead a day, you’re no good.
I brought this up in some other threads and I’m very glad to see a thread devoted specifically to it. Being a donor is one of the few things any of us can do to make this world a better place. I have a sticker on my driver’s license and a separate card in my wallet as well.
It was one of the most gratifying things to see the American family that lost their young boy to a gunman over in Italy change that entire country’s mind about donation.
It is my understanding that the organs need to be “fresh”.
If I die and my body parts are usefull then they can have them…if they are not usefull for organ donation, they can use me for medical research or whatever.
I’ve had the pink dot since I got my first driver’s license 20 years ago. I’m Catholic, and to reiterate, the Church has no problem with the giving and receiving of organs; donating is considered an act of great generosity.
It’s too bad that so many families seem to override a donor’s wishes, but under the usual circumstances for organ donation – sudden violent death – I can see why people wouldn’t want to deal with it. And, civil lawsuits being what they are in the U.S., why hospitals won’t take the chance of doing it anyway. Seems such a waste, though
On a slightly related note, does anyone remember the live organ donor scene in Monty Python and the Meaning of Life? I love when Eric Idle steps out of the fridge and starts singing.
When I moved to Georgia last year, and got my license changed, I got a reduced license cost because I am an organ donor. And, when I got my real license in the mail(they give you a temp one while they do whatever to check you out) there was a second card. I had never had one in any of the other states I lived in.
But my family knows my wishes. I know theirs. We have all discussed it. And we are all Catholic(well, except for Dad). Don’t see a problem with it as far as the Church goes.
Damn you Tasha, I wanted to say that. Grrrr. But anyway, I am completely for donating my organs. I mean, I certainly don’t need them and why should I deny anyone else life just because I am dead? You could help so many people with one person’s organs that I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to.
I’ve signed my organ donor thing and informed my mom of my wishes. My mom has a “no eyes” thing on hers, she just wouldn’t feel right being buried without eyes, but the way I see it I don’t need any of them so I have no restrictions.
They probably wouldn’t be able to use my eyes anyway, because I have really bad eyesight and a scar on one retina from a childhood mishap, but they’re available.
On a side note, when I glanced at this thread I thought it said “orgy donation”
Strangely, my younger brother who is NOT religous, is very well read, and intelligent, etc… is against organ donation. He says he doesnt know enough about the afterlife to make the call. He says he might need the organs in the afterlife - who knows.
I think there are an awful lot of people who are still afraid of it. Some worry they wont get the proper care in hospital if they want the organs.
For me, and my children - my wishes are widely known: use whatever you can, all of it, from all of us. The eyes, skin, organs, anything. Whatever is left, cremate it, and put us all together in an urn. (thats provided we all die together in a crash or something) If I go first (please please let me go first!) then the kids will know what I want.
I hope everyone who IS an organ donor looks into the possiblity of donating skin for burn victims. Its often overlooked, and many hospitals arent even doing it.
See ya in Hell, and I mean that in the nicest way possible!
