Will you donate organs?

**Timbuk2**

God forbid, if anything happened to you down the road - do you wish to donate organs to others who might need them?

Can any organs be donated if you actually die, or do they require the person to be still living to be of any use?

If not, what reasons do you have for wishing to keep your organs?

I hope to if anything happens to me - keeping your organs when you die (or are in a vegetative state, etc.) isn't really of much use, whereas quite a few lives could be saved by donating.

minidazzler

If my body is able to be harvested they can have everything except my cornea's.

Biggins

Yes, I carry a donate card at all times, as does my wife.

Dave!

Harvest away

Find out how to get a donor card at www.ika.ie

starbelgrade

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Can any organs be donated if you actually die, or do they require the person to be still living to be of any use?

.

You have to be dead before your organs are harvested.

Otherwise, it would be highly unethical & illegal.

And rather upsetting for the person should they wake up & find a few vitals missing.

Rabidlamb

They can gut me like a stuck pig after I'm gone.
"the best part is in the rump".

Apanachi

Yep, if there's anything left of me that's usable when I die, I would want it be used to help someone else - what good are my eyes, kidneys etc.. to me when I'm dead, no sense in them rotting away when they might save someone's life, help them to see etc...

I'd want them to take anything they could, but I don't know how they'd find my donor card in amongst all the rubbish in my handbag. Seriously, it's like Mary Poppins' magical bag. I think there's plans to put an opt out system in soon, think I heard Labour talking about it.

My Mother died last year. She was a Donor card holder for years.
When she died suddenly in hospital, no one asked whether they could use her organs etc.

A few weeks after the funeral, I called the Donor Card contact, and told them that despite my Mam being a card holder, no one asked us at hospital.
They basically said , its up to the hospital whether they have a Donor Co-ordinator on staff, or around. I explained to her that we were obviously in a lot of shock that day, and felt the hospital should think to ask, not the family of deceased.

So, my point being is basically despite all the advertising, and us, the people willing to be donors, sometimes, we are not actually asked maybe as often as we should be.

It seems to me, you'd need it tattoed on your forehead for the hospital to even think of it.

Just something to be aware of.

took this qoute form IKA website.

The next of kin's permission is then sought to remove the organs for transplantation before the body is prepared for burial. The fact of death of the brain is determined by the patient's own doctors (not by any member of the Transplant Team) and it is helpful at this stage if the patient's next of kin indicates to the doctor in charge that the patient wished his organs to be taken in these circumstances.


Not all next of kins are able to think of such a thing when they are in deep shock.

Sanjuro

AH answer- I donate my organ to the ladies every weekend.

Karl Pilkington answer- I wont donate my eyes. I don't want to be a blind ghost.

Proper answer- Yes. I will have no use for them after I die. Have an organ doner card in the wallet.

**Timbuk2**

I thought the donor card means nothing. At the end of the day, it comes down to your next of kin's decision, which counts whether you do or don't have a donor card?

Of course it's probably still a good idea as it lets people know your intentions. Can you choose which organs to donate and not to donate? I would be ok with most of them, but probably not skin or corneas!

Also, on the back of my driving licence there is a box you can tick to say you wish to donate organs? What's that about - does it have the same effect as having a card - i.e., lets people know your intentions?

Duggy747

I have no problems being harvested away like a brand new Mercedes left in a dodgy part of town. When I'm dead I won't need them anymore.......except my teeth.........if I come back as a zombie I won't be a very good one without them.

The only problem would be the possible side effects of using my organs, some mutations might occur.

Mint Sauce

I would have no problem mine being donated, take it all bar my eyes. Liver may have seen better days though.

Asphyxia

Yes, I have my organ donor card

If I'm not going to be needing them then someone who does need them may as well have them.

I'd prefer having them all taken out of me I wouldn't want to miraculously come back to life in the coffin :rolleyes:

Biggins

Jake1 wrote: »

My Mother died last year. She was a Donor card holder for years.
When she died suddenly in hospital, no one asked whether they could use her organs etc.

A few weeks after the funeral, I called the Donor Card contact, and told them that despite my Mam being a card holder, no one asked us at hospital.
They basically said , its up to the hospital whether they have a Donor Co-ordinator on staff, or around. I explained to her that we were obviously in a lot of shock that day, and felt the hospital should think to ask, not the family of deceased.

So, my point being is basically despite all the advertising, and us, the people willing to be donors, sometimes, we are not actually asked maybe as often as we should be.

It seems to me, you'd need it tattoed on your forehead for the hospital to even think of it.

Just something to be aware of.

took this qoute form IKA website.

The next of kin's permission is then sought to remove the organs for transplantation before the body is prepared for burial. The fact of death of the brain is determined by the patient's own doctors (not by any member of the Transplant Team) and it is helpful at this stage if the patient's next of kin indicates to the doctor in charge that the patient wished his organs to be taken in these circumstances.


Not all next of kins are able to think of such a thing when they are in deep shock.

First of all, sorry to hear about you losing your mother. Condolences.

I'm presently looking for a "Donate" bracelet that can be worn like those that wear similar with epilepsy warnings on them
(Of which my bother suffers from)

I think they would help go towards drawing others attention to ones wish to donate.

IvyTheTerrible

I will donate my organs.

I'm like a broken record every time this topic comes up, but PLEASE, if you want to donate your organs and carry a donor card, PLEASE discuss it with your next of kin. Your next of kin is the person who gives the consent. So it doesn't matter a damn if you have the card if they are against donation.

WallyGUFC

Might as well, not much use to ya when you're gone!

Biggins

Biggins wrote: »

First of all, sorry to hear about you losing your mother. Condolences.

I'm presently looking for a "Donate" bracelet that can be worn like those that wear similar with epilepsy warnings on them
(Of which my bother suffers from)

I think they would help go towards drawing others attention to ones wish to donate.

Thanks so much Biggins.

I one hundred per cent agree with you on a bracelet, lets face it, medical staff usually wouldnt go looking around in your wallet or bag etc, but a bracelet would be easier to pick up on. My Nana had one for penicillan , which I also need to get as I have an allergy to it.

I also have the donor card. I just hope when my time comes , my loved ones can think to mention it. Often grieving relatives dont think. its just a shame that a Transplant co-ordinator is not always available.

prinz

Yup, they can take whatever is still of any use. Carry the card and everyone knows it.

Apanachi

minidazzler wrote: »

If my body is able to be harvested they can have everything except my cornea's.

irish-stew wrote: »

take it all bar my eyes.

Just curious...
I've heard quite a lot of people say similar stuff, I know it's a personal choice if you do decide to donate and what you donate, but I don't understand why people are willing to give their heart/kidneys/liver and what not, but why not the eyes?

Dave!

Apanachi wrote: »

Just curious...
I've heard quite a lot of people say similar stuff, I know it's a personal choice if you do decide to donate and what you donate, but I don't understand why people are willing to give their heart/kidneys/liver and what not, but why not the eyes?

Was just gonna post the same...

Window the soul and all that?

good article here form the Examiner, regarding request for State-backed Organ drive.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfkfqlsncwsn/rss2/

**Timbuk2**

Apanachi wrote: »

Just curious...
I've heard quite a lot of people say similar stuff, I know it's a personal choice if you do decide to donate and what you donate, but I don't understand why people are willing to give their heart/kidneys/liver and what not, but why not the eyes?

For other people it's probably different, but for me it's just irrational.

Do you know at a wake, when family's are greaving over the open coffin? While this is a sad time, I always found looking at a dead body of a loved one slightly eerie as well - but the thought of the person having empty eye sockets makes it seem much eerier - I suppose heart/kidneys/liver are more 'internal' than the likes of eyes/skins.

Again, it's a bit of an irrational reason. I'd rather give my eyes + other organs than none at all.

Biggins

Dave! wrote: »

Window the soul and all that?

Was going to say exactly that too.

Some people feel (and I can understand where they are coming from) more sensitive about the eyes.
Yes, they will be then deceased but for some, just the thought (while alive) of someone poking around with their eyes, is a sensitive issue.

For a few its because as they lay in their coffin, the eyes are intact while the body might be viewed by those alive.
Yes, the eyelids are closed but its a sub-conscious thing that plays on the mind.

AnonoBoy

I'd give away my Yamaha but not my classic Hammond.

alexa5x5

Yes, I will donate everything. I’m also currently on the live registry to donate bone marrow, and donate my blood every 90 days.

Mint Sauce

Apanachi wrote: »

Just curious...
I've heard quite a lot of people say similar stuff, I know it's a personal choice if you do decide to donate and what you donate, but I don't understand why people are willing to give their heart/kidneys/liver and what not, but why not the eyes?

Dave! wrote: »

Was just gonna post the same...

Window the soul and all that?

Was gonna reply with something similar. The eyes are more personal, its what you see out of, it hows people recogonise you, plus the window to your soul and heart and all that.

Some just agrue about eyes being iccky and dont like them being touched.

CrazyRabbit

I am registered as a donor. Again, no eyes though, but this is because my are somewhat faulty (I've perfect vision, but my cornea's are not suitable for transplant).

Since I'm a biker though, there probably won't be many usable organs left should I be in a life-taking crash.

fakearms123

I would donate my penis so it could be shared amoung 8 men.

Biggins

fakearms123 wrote: »

I would donate my penis so it could be shared amoung 8 men.

I'd prefer it to be shared to women myself!

packiec50

Someone has a Kidney by the looks of it
Look under this thread in the pic from the Boards homepage below.

(hope i did it right)

Screaminmidget

I would donate my organs, dunno if anyone would use them though.

On this whole eyes thing:
Are ye really going to offer up yere lungs, kidneys liver etc, and not give someone the gift of sight? Seems a tad hypocritical to me. Id have no bother giving up my eyes, ill be dead, The Fcuk I care?

smokingman

I have a donor card and have also signed the back of my driving license which is also a legal way of saying "I want to donate my organs after I die".

Given how long people are on waiting lists for organs, I don't see how anyone would have an issue with not donating them.

Mark200

Fortunately it's part of FG and Labour's programme for government that they will make organ donation an opt-out rather than an opt-in system. So that should end the silly system of having to get a next of kin's permission, or even not even thinking about until unless the next of kin asks.

Knasher

Just signed up for a donor card so they can go nuts on my cadaver when I'm done with it.

Doubt they will have much use for my eyes though, quite a bit less than 20/20 vision.

OldGoat

Would love to see an "Opt Out" system rather then an "Opt In" system as currently used. If you DON'T want your bits used then carry a card saying so.

Also want to see the next of kin ruling overturned - I have yet to hear any reasonable arguments for it's existance.

IvyTheTerrible

Knasher wrote: »

Just signed up for a donor card so they can go nuts on my cadaver when I'm done with it.

Doubt they will have much use for my eyes though, quite a bit less than 20/20 vision.

AFAIK, it doesn't matter if your vision isn't perfect, once your corneas aren't damages, cos it's just the corneas they harvest.

token56

Yeah I'd have no problems with, carry a card myself too. I'd have no problems with them using my corneas either, dont see the problem to be honest. I'll be dead and will be either 6 feet under or a piles of ashes, wont be much good to anyone then.

J. Marston

Leave my heart and eyes. The rest? Take what you want.

Yes, even my pancreas.

Novella

Yup, will definitely donate my organs. It's something I feel very passionately about in fact.

Lynnsie

Yes I would donate everything and would also love to have an opt out system.

It's great to see such a positive response in this thread, my father died while waiting for a transplant and while most people were very supportive, we got some very negative comments at the time about how it was awful that we were "hoping that someone would die". Nice to see that it doesn't seem to be a common opinion

ElleEm

If possible, I would like to donate my organs.
I am like a few others on this thread, and would prefer to keep my eyes, but that is just my choice. I would also prefer not to donate my skin. This isn't for open casket purposes, as I wouldn't want one of them... I don't know, I just don't like the idea.
I understand that it may seem hypocritical, but donating organs is a personal choice. It is a good thing to do, and people shouldn't feel pressured into doing anything they're not comfortable with.

Mark200

J. Marston wrote: »

Leave my heart and eyes. The rest? Take what you want.

Yes, even my pancreas.

Why leave your heart and eyes?

Aishae

ive a donor card and my folks know it - its REALLY important your next of kin is aware. and its also important to know what is legally next of kin. a girlfriend or partner is no - a wife is. parents and siblings if there is no wife present etc.

id donate everything - i want to be cremated not taking up space in the ground. i wont need anything where im going - i imagine the spirit would have its own eyes - although i dunno if they'd touch my eyes with a barge pole - the state of the retina etc! but i think i keep the vital organs in good shape even if the rest of me is falling apart at 27, lol. its important i feel - that people should no longer die while on waiting lists for organs cos just not enough of the organs out there. they have to be a match too. so all the more organs are needed.

Medusa22

I have a donor card (you can often get them at your gp's surgery) and they can take whatever is viable!

I have cystic fibrosis so I will need a lung transplant one day, the response from this thread is very positive and I didn't think that so many people are willing to donate.

It's great to see it because 50% of people die on the transplant waiting list due to a shortage of organs. It's very important to inform your next of kin about your decision because they will have the overall decision.

storm2811

Yeah probably.
My granny is donating her body to science though, that just freaks me out.

Captain_Generic

storm2811 wrote: »

Yeah probably.
My granny is donating her body to science though, that just freaks me out.

At least the BBC autopsy show is over, that could have been awkward

Aishae

storm2811 wrote: »

Yeah probably.
My granny is donating her body to science though, that just freaks me out.

my mum wants to do that too - because her body would be no use for organ donation after the effects of NF2 and the long term medications effects. but feels itd be of use to science due to her NF2. i told my father id back him up on it if her family argue about it when the time comes. i had the nf2 as well and i know the research into it really needs to advance so i understand her choice

Carl Sagan

Have a donor card in my wallet. Rarely bring my wallet out though. All my family and close friends know I want to donate though.

phill106

Id donate everything except my eyes, wouldnt like the idea of it somehow.
Do like the opt out idea for country wise organ donation though.

scottsullivan

minidazzler wrote: »

If my body is able to be harvested they can have everything except my cornea's.

Purely out of curiosity, why not Cornea's

and also i hold a Donor Card so yup feel free to have anything you want.