Are you an organ donor?

Question

My husband and I were discussing the fact that we are both organ donors, and I asked him if he really wanted to be one or if he was just trying to look good. He said, he just wanted to look good. He's a licensed funeral director and embalmer and says that organ donors look horrible after all the organs have been taken out..and not all those organs get used. What do you think?? I really meant it when I said I wanted to be one! Save as many people as you can! I don't need my parts anymore!

Let me clarify here.... Hubby says when watching the doctors take the organs they are really rough with the body because they have to work fast. Yes I know...all bodies look bad when they are dead...but when an embalmer has to fix them, they just don't look as good as they could have. In the end, it's really up to your loved ones to decide despite your wishes! That's just the way it goes. You really don't have a choice.

Answer 1

Great question!
This was a hot topic in New Zealand recently. Apparently, it is only a tiny, tiny percentage (I think it was something like less than 50 operations in the last year) of bodies that they actually get to harvest organs from them mostly because the deceased's family has to agree to it (even though the person may have specifically said yes to it), so the family override the deceased's decision in most cases.

Just from watching medical programmes, it also seems to me that there are so many things that can affect whether the organs are even any good for harvesting like how the person died, timeframes, lifestyle, so...................I still want to be a donor as there may be a very slim chance, but still a chance, that I could help someone. Like you said, I won't be needing my bits anymore, and I have told my family this so if anything does happen to me, I hope they will do the right thing...

Answer 2

This is an interesting subject, because I am waiting for a liver that I am compatible with to be donated. I do think that after harvesting the organs it should be important to have the dead loved one not look so hideous. I hope that the people with the rare blood types knew how much their organs that they no longer need are in demand. I think deciding to be a donor is a tough decision for the families to have to respect as the deceased wishes. Someone asked if I thought that donors should receive compensation. I'm not sure. I need a new liver or I will die, but I wouldn't want someone who is poor or incarcerated to sell their organs, agreeing to donate when they die. It is a noble thing to do and I think we should let that standard be.

Answer 3

I totally respect organ donors. I think it is very honorable and compassionate. However, I am not an organ donor. I used to be, but a few years ago I decided to donate my whole body to a medical research center insead... I figured I could help more people in the long run by helping students and physicians with research than I could help by just giving out the limited number of parts I could provide. Therefore, I cannot be an organ donor. I agree with you, and your reasons. However, I think your husband should do what he feels is right for him.

Answer 4

I once heard the phrase, "Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here." It really touched me and I decided then to become an organ donor. I've donated blood regularly and am nearly to 5 gallons. I'm also on the National Bone Marrow Registry and am listed as an organ donor. I am lucky that in our state (IL) you can by Organ Donor license plates with proceeds going to the Gift of Life foundation. I work at a hospital where we've seen tragedies occur and the person's family makes the heroic decision to allow their loved one to become a donor. I'm not on the surgical team, but while speaking with a nurse who witnessed the procedure she told me that it was "like snatching victory from the jaws of defeat." I thought that was an amazing and very appropriate statement. Sadly, I lost my sister 3 years ago. She was hoping to receive a heart and lung transplant, but she became too weak to survive the surgery and was taken out of consideration. I ended up having another friend who needed to have a heart transplant. It was very painful to watch him go through the horrible suffering he had to endure before he received his transplant. It moved me to the point of calling my family to be sure they knew my wishes just in case something happened to me and I could be his donor. Thankfully, he received his new heart and is doing very well now. Out of the sad tragedy of his donor's death came a brand new life for him and his new wife and 1 year old daugther. In short, Yes, I'm an organ donor. It's a beautiful thing and I would encourage everyone to make this most meaningful decision as well.

Answer 5

I am.

I don't know how it works in the States, but here in Canada it's very simple. When you get your Medicare card, it comes with a sticker that you can sign and attach to it to signify that you wish to donate your organs if you die.

It's NOT true that they will work less hard to save your life if you are an organ donor.

Answer 6

I totally agree. Unless you're Jahovah's witness or something, or believe that you should exit this earth just like you entered, then there's no reason you shouldn't try to save someone else who still has a potentially long life ahead of them. And really, we are all going to look like crap after we're deasd, I mean, we're dead! I don't think not having organs will make that big of a difference after all.

Answer 7

I heard that if you're involved in a fatal accident and if they check your ID and spot the DONOR STICKER...they work less hard to keep you alive because your organs are vital for a patient at the moment...
sounds weird..but i heard it's true..
that's why i aint donating ANYTHING!

Answer 8

I'm not because I had hepatitus as a child. But let me see if I understand your husband's point: After you die, your body looks bad, and that's a reason not to donate organs?

And you would care at this point because....?

Answer 9

I'm a donor.
If there is anything in me worth using after I've finished with it , why not let someone else have a chance with it if they need it.

Answer 10

NO, my friends mom works at a hospital i dont want to get chopped up