would you consider joining the organ donation register?

Question

i am asking because my 20 year old sister is awaiting a double lung transplant... she has suffered from a condition called cystic fibrosis all her life but her health has recently deteriorated and has been given just 18 months to live without the transplant... she hasnt had a chance to live her life yet and it makes me sad that we are living under such a dark cloud.... hopefly one day soon shel get her new lungs and a chance to live but her chance of life means someone has to die... and that makes me sad too... if i could get just one person to sign up to the register today i would feel that ive done something to help improve her chances and would be very grateful...as i feel so helpless and dont know what else to do to help her... many thanks for your time xxx

thanks to all of you that have replied telling me that you are already on the register.... and for your kind words it means alot to me... you are all stars x

Answer 1

Sorry to hear about your sister. I hope a donor can be found for her soon.

I will also donate when I die. For many years I have carried a donor card.

Remember no-one has to die in order to give your sister her new lungs. Their death will be unrelated to your sister's need. They will just have been kind enough to be willing to donate their organs in the event of their death.

You are right, if everyone signed up, it would help so many people.

All the best.

Here's the link for anyone considering donating in the UK:

https://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/RegistrationForm.do

Answer 2

I have talked to my family about organ donation. It's important that the surviving family know about your wishes. My family knows that when I die, I don't need my organs. I'm an organ donor (not yet, waiting for death) and I have a little bit of knowledge of how the system works. Even though I am an organ donor, the hospital will work just as hard to keep me alive and simply harvest what they want in the event of my death. I don't mind. If I'm brain dead, I don't need my organs anymore.

From what I know, all you need to do is talk to your family about organ donation to get it done. Then, in the unfortunate event that you die, your family can request that your organs be harvested. In the end, your family has the final choice, so make sure they know your wishes. The organ donor box on your driving license doesn't really mean anything if your family decides that you (or they) really didn't want it done.

When organs are harvested, it usually is a long process where the patient has become brain dead because of some sort of illness. The process takes days and gives everyone involved lots of time to get things sorted out. If you keel over at home, chances are that your major organs will not be viable for harvesting. In order to have organs harvested, a patient must be declared brain dead, be hemodynamically stable (good heart rate and blood pressure), breathing well enough to maintain their acid-base status on a ventilator, and have something to harvest that is transplantable. Medication and what laypeople call 'life support' would be used to keep the donor body functioning until it is time to go to the Operating Room for harvesting.

People who are good candidates for organ donation are people who suffered some sort of brain injury where their brain ceases to have electrical activity (brain death). This can happen for many reasons. If it happens and the body can be maintained in a healthy state, then organ harvesting might be considered. Once the family has decided to allow the patient's organs harvested, it can commence. The family gets time to say their goodbyes, etc.. before the patient goes to the OR for harvesting.

After a person donates organs, they can be arranged in such a way as to be suitable for an open casket funeral. The body won't look different on the outside. However, some part of the person will be living on in other people, allowing them to have happy and productive lives.

Organ donation and death in general are not as frightening as is sometimes thought. Death can be the best thing for some patients. Death can lead to increasing quality of life for people with diseased organs who need new ones. Death can also be a terribly disappointing end to a life extinguished prematurely. Please help the greater good in humanity and donate your organs upon your death. Also, make it clear to your family that you wish to donate your organs so they will always remember your wishes.

Answer 3

This is a difficult question. There are those that say, the human body is to be respected. And then there are others that say if you save a life it is like as if you have saved all of mankind. But in todays society, as your family is grieving, the donor collecting guy is sitting there waiting to act, can be kind of distressing for the family

Answer 4

I have already donated a kidney and had to have a transplant. My name is on the list for any useable body part.I thank GOD for my second chance and will ask him to do the same for your sister in my prayers. Life really is a gift.

Answer 5

i have a donor card and i will be so happy if what's left of me when i die helps another person to live,i don't understand why people don't choose to do this,what is our bodies after we die?useless unless we choose to donate our organs and give the precious gift of life to someone that needs it..i hope your sister gets what is needed soon,by that i don't mean for someone to die,but we all have a fate and i believe she will get her chance..God bless

Answer 6

Sorry to hear about your family problem and sister.

However I dont agree with organ donation, I will keep the reason to myself as you wont want to hear my answer.

I hope your sister gets better really soon and dont forget... It is not your fault that this happened to her - just be there for her. respect x

Answer 7

i am currently on the list to give organs. sorry to hear about your sister, it's hard to understand why the young have to have such problems. God Bless your family and friends in this terrible time.

Answer 8

I carry my donor card with me all the time , at least when I kick off I may be of help to someone else

Answer 9

My organs are gonna go to anyone who can use them. I once had a bumper sticker that said "Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here." Very wise words. I'll pray for your sister and your family. God bless.

Answer 10

im an organ donor, would like to donate blood too but i cant reach the minimum weight requirement