Opting out of organ donation

[ringme]

So the law has changed and this spring the NHS will consider you to be an organ donor automatically if you don’t opt out. I haven’t had a chance to really consider this all yet, WIBU to opt out at this stage until I have time to think about it or is that a selfish move given that 408 people died last year waiting for a donor?

What will you be doing?

www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/about-organ-donation/faq/what-is-the-opt-out-system

spot on TigerOnATrain

I agree too, especially as the specialist nurse has confirmed only 1% of deaths are even eligible.

And the nurses were amazing, truly and they do such an important job.

I think we are turning into America.

What are you even talking about?

Whether or not we understand or agree with someone's wish to donate or not donate, it's a deeply personal decision, and it should be left up to each person to decide. Furthermore, people shouldn't be brow-beaten or pressured into making a donation. It should be freely given.

OP, you should do what you want with your body and not feel guilty, whatever your decision. It is your body, after all. What's all that about a person's right to choose? Or does that only important when it comes to pregnancy?

LMFAO at the (few) posters saying 'if you opt out of donating your organs' I shan't be your friend!!' 'And I could not possibly DATE you. Because I know what kind of person you are. Vile, selfish, nasty, self-serving bad bad bad person!'

I bet these are the same types who unfriend/unfollow anyone (on facebook or twitter) who has differing political views, and thinks anyone who voted for Brexit is a vile bigot and a nasty racist.

LOL, you read some stuff on here.

Keeps me entertained though!!!

@JosefKeller

Spot on tigeronatrain

Thank you.

When i passed my test last year it had on my drivers license when it came back from being changed from a provisional that i had opted in. I feel fine with this as if it were my son needing an organ id take one in a heartbeat if it were avaliable and vice versa if my organs could save someone

I think it's amazing how many people are willing to take a donated organ but aren't prepared to be a donor themselves.

I think it's amazing how many people are willing to take a donated organ but aren't prepared to be a donor themselves.

How do you know how many people hold that view?

I always thought it should be an opt out situation-it’s not the state imposing, in my opinion, but isn’t it easier for a family if donation of organs isn’t a decision they have to make? I know of two people (one a young woman in her twenties, another, a man in his sixties who never believed he would actually get a donation) whose lives have been changed unbelievably as a result of receiving kidneys. They will be eternally grateful to the families of their donors and hugely appreciate the courage and selflessness it took on the part of those families to consent to donation (it’s an opt-in situation in our country still, but I hope it changes.)
I also appreciate the hesitancy of people -you don’t want to be kept artificially alive and maybe in distress, awaiting harvesting/the thought of putting your families through it/the thought that you might somehow be “aware”...these are things that go through my head too. But the good it does is unbelievable. I hope, OP, that you are able to make the decision that is right for you and your family.

I am a live kidney donor, it took many months to go through all the health tests but it was worth it.
To watch someone suffer with kidney disease is horrendous.
I think that if you would be willing to receive an organ then you should at least consider donating after death.
Even though I have given one of my kidneys to a relative, I am still a card carrier.

I’ve been looking into organ donation and absolutely happy for them to take what they want to help others but what I am concerned about is that you are not “dead” when they take them. You are kept alive artificially whilst the organs are then taken. What I want to understand is that during this process will you feel pain and why do they choose not to anaesthetise the patient. I have read conflicting reports about this and I don’t want my last ever time on this earth being in extreme pain.

I am opting out but I have considered altruistic kidney donation. I am ok to donate when I am alive but not when I am dead. I donate blood too.

There is something about it that makes me deeply uncomfortable too, I'm just not sure what. I also find the front page appeals uncomfortable too. I don't know maybe it just seems more that they are willing people to die.

I will donate, but I still will be uncomfortable about the opt out system.

(Oh and fwiw, I have checked that my medical conditions don't preclude me, some conditions will preclude people, so pp need to consider that before pouring scorn on others)

@TigerOnATrain, I agree with everything you've said, especially the part about opposing views. Providing the other view isn't harmful or illegal I actually quite enjoy having friends and family who don't necessarily agree with me!

Donation is harder for the family left behind than the one who has died. My Mum died in hospital and none of her organs would have been suitable for donation. Even if they had been, I really don't know if I could have gone through the donation procedure. It was hard enough losing her without knowing she was going to be cut open and her organs 'harvested' (I hate that word, it sounds so cold and unfeeling). If that makes me cold, hard, unworthy or whatever you want to call it then so be it.

They only take organs if you are dead.

There are two scenarios:
Patient is brain dead so they keep physically going on machine
Patient can't be saved and will die when support is removed and can be kept alive artificially while they match etc. They take away the support and the person dies before they take the organs.

They don't take organs from people who are alive.

The issue with #2 is if it takes too long to die it could mean the organs are unsuitable.

@ScarlettBlaize

I don’t have to justify myself to anyone...I have made the decision and that’s I’m opting out.

My body’s fucked, and I can assure you that none of it will be any use (I have the same condition which killed my sister - none of her organs could be used and she was a donor! So I’m pretty certain mine ain’t gonna be any better) of course at my next appointment I shall ask my consultants their opinion on if my organs will be suitable...and I will watch them roll their eyes at me for even suggesting it.

Donation is harder for the family left behind than the one who has died

^^absolutely this

There is also pressure to find it a comfort. I don't and it's as simple as that.

@viques

The fact is that a huge number , probably most, of the people signed up to donate will die in circumstances that make donation of major internal organs practically impossible. Unless you die ( and not of active cancer, hepatitis, HIV or any other transmittable disease) in a hospital bed on life support then it is unlikely your organs will be useable.

Just a point of clarification....in the UK at least HIV+ people can donate organs after they die, but only to other HIV+ people, so luckily still useful 😀. Hopefully there will be more donations of this sort due to improvements in medication.

I think it's amazing how many people are willing to take a donated organ but aren't prepared to be a donor themselves

How do you know? Many of those who said they will be opting out haven't said if they will accept an organ and those who have said say they won't anyway.

But @TigerOnATrain this is one scenario where everyone is equal. We all have a body with the same parts in it. It doesn't matter if you're rich, poor, working, on benefits etc. I stand by the comments of if you wouldn't be happy for someone to receive your organs when deceased, you shouldn't expect to receive them either.

And I'm sorry you don't like families desperately waiting for an organ to become available. The reality is people will die unexpectedly, whether people are waiting for an organ or not. The families of the transplant patient aren't sending voodoo prayers hoping that someone will die. It's a terrible thing knowing someone has had to die in order for your loved one to have a chance at life again.

We had a blood donation drive at work and this topic came up. Lots of people with differing opinions but overridingly the people who refused to donate blood/organs had never experienced them/family being seriously ill and needing them. I think your perspective on it all really changed when you've been in that situation.

"I'm opting out. I wouldn't trust the NHS not to cut off my life support to harvest my organs."

Most stupid comment on this page if not the thread.

The families of the transplant patient aren't sending voodoo prayers hoping that someone will die.

Well some of them might be as it goes 🤔

I don't understand why you would prioritize donating your body over organ donation.

The pool of potential organ donors is much smaller than rose donating whole bodies for research/anatomy teaching. Basically to be a donor you have to die in the right way.

Whereas most bodies can go for research /anatomy use (there are a few contraindication....)

I've seen first hand patients die waiting for organs. I would hate not to help. I've also seen families override donor cards which is very difficult.

I'm up for donating my organs first and if that isn't possible my body will go to my local medical school.

This thread has made me realise that I need to make sure that those likely to be asked know this.

@PinkSparklyPussyCat

TigerOnATrain, I agree with everything you've said, especially the part about opposing views. Providing the other view isn't harmful or illegal I actually quite enjoy having friends and family who don't necessarily agree with me!

Thank you.

Donation is harder for the family left behind than the one who has died. My Mum died in hospital and none of her organs would have been suitable for donation. Even if they had been, I really don't know if I could have gone through the donation procedure.

It was hard enough losing her without knowing she was going to be cut open and her organs 'harvested' (I hate that word, it sounds so cold and unfeeling). If that makes me cold, hard, unworthy or whatever you want to call it then so be it.

I get you.......

Sorry about your mum.

Well some of them might be as it goes 🤔

More likely to be praying that inevitably when the next organ comes up, they are next on the list, it physically fits their loved one, is suitable for transplant, their loved one is strong enough for the operation etc.