Organ Donation

Overheal · 10-04-2010 12:39AM

lilblackdress wrote: »

The only way to get more people donating organs in this country is to have an opt out system.... but seeing as that won't happen anytime soon it's all down to teaching people why they should donate!

I work in a transplant ward and it's honestly heart breaking seeing patients being called in time and time again only to be turned away... and seeing people die because not enough people donate organs.

I will admit though... only started carrying a card when i started on this ward and told my family what i wanted after an older woman cried because she was so scared that she wouldn't get an organ on time. her repeating the saying that 'you don't need your organs in heaven' made me take a card home that day.

(By the way.... there were only 90 organ donators in Ireland last year:mad::eek::()

If its so heart breaking - and I dont mean to sound like a dick - how come you arent out there canvassing for people to Opt-In the same way you might hold a Blood Drive?

lilblackdress · 10-04-2010 12:53AM

Overheal wrote: »

If its so heart breaking - and I dont mean to sound like a dick - how come you arent out there canvassing for people to Opt-In the same way you might hold a Blood Drive?

Actually gave out 7 cards today...... (2 to people who said they thought there was an age limit) so i guess i am doing as much as i can right now. I am also looking into teaching some stuff about it in schools along with a few of my patients families. so guess im tryin at least

XxMCRxBabyxX · 04-05-2010 12:36AM

Sorry to resurrect this and if this has been asked before I apologise!

If someone isn't allowed give blood (was born in Botswana and then had cancer at 15/16) are they allowed donate organs if they were able to after death? It's something i'd love to be able to do but due to the aforementioned reasons would that stop me being able to?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I genuinely don't know and would like to!

Overheal · 04-05-2010 12:41AM

Good question, actually, but the Biology forum might get the most accurate answer.

Dave! · 04-05-2010 12:42AM

Overheal wrote: »

Good question, actually, but the Biology forum might get the most accurate answer.

I'd say the IKA would give you the most accurate answer!

http://www.ika.ie/

nicegirl · 04-05-2010 01:21AM

I haven't read the thread, cos I hate reading, but....maybe someone has said this already, but a few months ago back In January or February, there was a documentary on RTE, about how someone got a donated organ, and saved their life. I was touched by it, and now I carry an organ donor card myself, as a result. If there was another documentary on like this, it could get people interested in carrying a card, and the benefits of doing so

challengemaster · 04-05-2010 01:24AM

Make it an actual card, instead of a giant 200 page fold out docket type card thing it is now.*

*may be slightly exaggerated.

Dave! · 04-05-2010 01:27AM

challengemaster wrote: »

Make it an actual card, instead of a giant 200 page fold out docket type card thing it is now.*

*may be slightly exaggerated.

huh? It is a card...

Think you might be a bit confuzzled -- it comes in a book/pack thing with a load of info, but the card is in a little pouch thing on the back! You're supposed to take the card out and just use that

Asphyxia · 04-05-2010 01:36AM

I got a nice new card the other day keep forgetting to pop it into my purse though. I think it would be great if more people carried them, you never know whether you might get into an accident and somebody with a card saves your life?

Asphyxia · 04-05-2010 01:38AM

challengemaster wrote: »

Make it an actual card, instead of a giant 200 page fold out docket type card thing it is now.*

It is a card! It isn't big at all it's the size of a ATM card! :rolleyes:

ROTTING CHRIST · 04-05-2010 03:35AM

Am I correct in saying the cards have no legal basis as it's up to your next of kin, so signing the card is the same as me just saying to the oulfella 'yea donate my organs if I die' ?

rizzla · 04-05-2010 03:46AM

Where can I find info on this subject matter. I tried googling but it was no real help. Live donors and post mortem stuff popped up, I just want my organs to be used for other people when I die. Do I need to do a physical exam or anything any info would be greatful. Maybe the OP can add links to the first post.

Cheers, Thanks.

Wait never mind found a site....

www.organdonation.ie

Dave! · 04-05-2010 04:16AM

ROTTING CHRIST wrote: »

Am I correct in saying the cards have no legal basis as it's up to your next of kin, so signing the card is the same as me just saying to the oulfella 'yea donate my organs if I die' ?

Yeah that's correct

toomevara · 04-05-2010 07:38AM

As someone who's worked with transplant patients and seen some pretty heartrending scenarios develop I'd say the following;

Anyone out there who doesn't carry a donor card is a massive, massive hypocrit, because in 99.999% of cases should they, or a loved one require an organ they'd gladly, desperately and greedily take it. Believe you me, nothing brings the current absurdity surrounding transplant more sharply into focus than when you find that you, your wife, kid, mum, dad, whatever needs one. I guarantee you'll start carrying one unhesitatingly then.

My solution is simple...anyone over 18 who isn't on the donor register, doesn't qualify for an organ, regardless of circumstance. Draconian, yes, but once you've watched a few people die and their families go through hell, completely unnecessarily, because their fellow human beings are cowardly, stupid or just a little 'squeamish' (ffs) your milk of human kindness tends to run dry.

As its stands folk who are on donor registers should receive clear preferential treatment in terms of transplant needs. I'd also give donors tax breaks.

Anyone out there whos got half a brain and is, in any way, capable of seeing beyond narrow personal self-interest and acting like a genuinely evolved member of the human race rather than a self-interested, knuckle dragger needs to do a few things (today);

Become a blood donor. (Do it today, and dont be a blouse, it doesnt hurt.)
Become a member of the bone marrow register. You might just save a child from dying from leukaemia by doing this. If you live for a thousand years you'll never do a better thing. Think of the karma, the glow of self satisfaction that will accrue from the fact that you're genuinely feckin' great.
For christ's sake get a bloody donor card. Man/woman-up and become a fully fledged member of the human race...stop behaving like a superstitious cave-dweller and join the bloody register. There is genuinely no more wonderful/no more selfless/no more just bloody feckin' great thing you can do.

http://www.giveblood.ie/
http://www.bonemarrowtrust.ie/Register.asp
http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/donating
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp
http://www.ika.ie/

falan · 04-05-2010 10:06AM

My father received a new kidney 3 weeks ago today. He suffered kidney failure and for the last 6 or 7 years since he was sick i have seen him suffering every single day. Dialysis 3 times a week, 5am starts for this with no choice in the matter. I saw him deteriorate from a fit man who always worked hard on building sites into a shell of his former self...I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

6 months ago he got the call from Beaumont that they had a kidney for him so off he went in a taxi from Limerick to Dublin at 1am for his transplant. He was on the operating table ready to be knocked out when they found a defect with the kidney they were supposed to implant so had to cancel the op and he was sent home again to wait for the call.

So 3 weeks ago they ring again at midnight and off he went again to Dublin.
He was over 5 hours in surgery but the op has been a major success. He was saying yesterday that even though hes still in a lot of pain, he feels the best he has felt in 7 years. The colour has come back in his face (He was like a ghost before). It will be months before he is fully recovered and able to work again.

We are delighted here but also are very aware that there is some family suffering somewhere for their loss.

Before he got sick, it never even dawned on me to carry a card....

goat2 · 14-05-2010 01:05AM

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

Isn't it? I want to donate my organs but my parents are against it. I'm not married to my partner so he is not classed as my next of kin. So if I die, it's up to them to decide.

i have discussed this with the rest of the family
and card or no card, we all agree, that we are for giving up of organs, which mean we know each others wishes, cards can be lost and next of kin may not know a persons wishes, so its best to say what you would do

irish_goat · 14-05-2010 01:45AM

My family can get de france if they think they can interfere with me donating everything. I'll be putting it in my will "No inheritance if anyone even thinks of trying to stop my body being donated to patients/science".

amacachi · 14-05-2010 01:50AM

toomevara wrote: »

Anyone out there who doesn't carry a donor card is a massive, massive hypocrit, because in 99.999% of cases should they, or a loved one require an organ they'd gladly, desperately and greedily take it. Believe you me, nothing brings the current absurdity surrounding transplant more sharply into focus than when you find that you, your wife, kid, mum, dad, whatever needs one. I guarantee you'll start carrying one unhesitatingly then.

Why? You should know as well as anyone that carrying a card is completely irrelevant.

Become a blood donor. (Do it today, and dont be a blouse, it doesnt hurt.)

Become a member of the bone marrow register. You might just save a child from dying from leukaemia by doing this. If you live for a thousand years you'll never do a better thing. Think of the karma, the glow of self satisfaction that will accrue from the fact that you're genuinely feckin' great.

For christ's sake get a bloody donor card. Man/woman-up and become a fully fledged member of the human race...stop behaving like a superstitious cave-dweller and join the bloody register. There is genuinely no more wonderful/no more selfless/no more just bloody feckin' great thing you can do.

I can't do the first 2 and see no point in the third when it has no purpose.

celtic Liger · 14-05-2010 05:25AM

i would love to give blood more regularly and carry a donor card, but i have shared notes to snort cocaine, taken various other drugs and had unprotected sex more often then ive had protected sex.

the only time i went a relative was donating with me (one of those office donation thingys) so i had to lie thru my teeth, in front of her, so they took it anyway. i presumed(hoped) they would check it for abnormalities. anyway, they hounded me for months to come back. i know what i done was wrong, but i was only 20 at the time so id only done bold things a few times back then but since is when ive really let my hair down.

can i never give blood again? or can i get tested and give blood again? its something i'd like to do as regular as possible. also, there is hemochromatosis in the family so if i've got that, i have to get rid of some blood to maintain my iron levels. id really like to put it to good use...if its, i mean I'm...ok!

2Scoops · 14-05-2010 05:34AM

The Organs Donation Taskforce investigated the possibility of establishing an opt-out system for organ donation in the UK. Here are their conclusions:

ODT wrote:

Taskforce members had a wide range of views at the outset. However, after examining the evidence, the Taskforce reached a clear consensus in recommending that an opt out system should not be introduced in the UK at the present time. The Taskforce concluded that such a system has the potential to undermine the concept of donation as a gift, to erode trust in NHS professionals and the government, and negatively impact on organ donation numbers. It would distract attention away from essential improvements to systems and infrastructure and from the urgent need to improve public awareness and understanding of organ donation. Furthermore, it would be challenging and costly to implement successfully. Most compelling of all, we found no convincing evidence that it would deliver significant increases in the number of donated organs.

Source: http://www.donorfamilynetwork.co.uk/newdfn8/Information/ODTFReport_final%5B1%5D.pdf

law86 · 14-05-2010 07:46AM

Celtic Liger wrote "can i never give blood again? or can i get tested and give blood again?"

Go on the IBTS website for a full list; there are different safety periods during which you are not supposed to donate after each of the circumstances you described, but I don't think any of them sholud preclude you permanently from donating, unless intercourse was between two homosexual men or with a man who has had sex with other men.

It's pretty easy to determine eligibility but if you're serious about it, unprotected sex and drug use will have to take a back seat, or at least become more regulated ie, I think you can't give blood if you have snorted cocaine within the last month (open to correction on this) so you might have to time it around your lifestyle. Shouldn't be a problem, lots of people do it.

So my advice, get tested for STIs for your own peace of mind, find a day when you haven't been on the lash for a while and get your arse in gear.

celtic Liger · 14-05-2010 10:22PM

thanks

i have a girlfriend now and i haven't snorted anything in over a year but thats not to say i wont again. but most likely not cocaine.

i will look into it when I have more time but thanks for the pointers. everyone should give blood as often as possible. there is no excuse but lazyness for those that dont (excluding phobia's)

im not sure where, but isnt there a country that everyone is born an organ donor until they state otherwise. i wonder how the implementation of that would go down in ireland. something along the lines of; at birth your parents sign a form that puts the option in their hands if you die and after 18, you are officially a donor until otherwise stated.

L.Jenkins · 15-05-2010 01:40PM

Just watched a piece on the Dreaded Sky News. Apartently 1 person dies every 11 days from organ failure, or failure to obtain an organ as the number of people on the organ donar list is so low that the demand can't be met.

Wales plans on changing the law stating that it is presumed that a recently deceased person wishes to donate there organs with an opt out system as opposed to opt in, in an effort to save as many lives as possible. Belgium currently uses this system with only a rate of 2% opting out of this presumption on death.

Any one here have an organ donor card. I have one myself as I know that some one could my organs as I'm certainly not going to have an use for them when I kick the bucket.

koHd · 15-05-2010 01:43PM

djhunter30 wrote: »

Just watched a piece on the Dreaded Sky News. Apartently 1 person dies every 11 days from organ failure, or failure to obtain an organ as the number of people on the organ donar list is so low that the demand can't be met.

Wales plans on changing the law stating that it is presumed that a recently deceased person wishes to donate there organs with an opt out system as opposed to opt in, in an effort to save as many lives as possible. Belgium currently uses this system with only a rate of 2% opting out of this presumption on death.

Any one here have an organ donor card. I have one myself as I know that some one could my organs as I'm certainly not going to have an use for them when I kick the bucket.

I don't understand why some people don't donate. As you said, they're no use rotting away in the dirt.

You could save someones life FFS :mad:

dr.bollocko · 15-05-2010 01:43PM

You know there's a tick box on the back of most driving licences to opt in to organ donation?
Good to know I think. Handiest way of signing up.

Turtyturd · 15-05-2010 01:46PM

koHd wrote: »

I don't understand why some people don't donate. As you said, they're no use rotting away in the dirt.

You could save someones life FFS :mad:

Most people probably believe the myth that medical staff will not put in any effort to keep you alive if they know your organs can be used for someone else.

amacachi · 15-05-2010 01:48PM

This thread again!?

I don't have a donor card, whether you have one or not and your organs would be usable your next of kin will have final say in whether or not they take your organs. There are other pointless things I have to fill my day with.

It disgusts me how many people die waiting for organs while selfish idiots poison and bury some.

L.Jenkins · 15-05-2010 01:48PM

koHd wrote: »

I don't understand why some people don't donate. As you said, they're no use rotting away in the dirt.

You could save someones life FFS :mad:

Thats the whole point of an opt out system that only the donar can opt out of. 45% of families last year refused to donate organs of there deceased relatives year who had an organ donation card. For every deceased person, 4 - 5 lives 'could' be saved.

Cook!eMonster · 15-05-2010 01:48PM

id rather donate, at least i know i wouldnt end up waking up in the coffin

koHd · 15-05-2010 01:50PM

Turtyturd wrote: »

Most people probably believe the myth that medical staff will not put in any effort to keep you alive if they know your organs can be used for someone else.

Never heard that myth...*rips up donar card*

Organ Donation

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