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

If you would be a willing recipient of any organ you may need then of course you should be willing to help someone else survive after you have gone.

I had a family member who wanted to donate their body to science. Despite their multiple ailments and one rare blood disorder they were declined. They were a little miffed

Opting out on principle just harms someone (or several people) whose life might have otherwise been saved. My principles value someone's life over making a point.

Everyone is free to do what they like. But I imagine most people would readily take an organ if the alternative was death, so it doesn't sit well with me that someone who would happily take isn't prepared to give. It's selfish.

I'll be honest.... I absolutely hate the idea of being an organ donor and not being cremated "whole". I have absolutely no idea why it worries me so much, given that once you're dead you don't need to be in one piece, but lots of people have all sorts of irrational thoughts.

I was secretly glad that my sisters organs couldn't be used. She carried a donor card, and I would absolutely have gone along with her wishes had it been possible, but I wasn't, and it was a relief to me.

Having said all this, I most probably won't opt out - I just won't think about it. I am on the bone marrow register and would happily donate whilst still alive.

@ringme Bit silly I know but I’d like to keep my eyes...

I think you've misunderstood. They only take organs from dead people.

Also, if you have kids who are of an age, it's a really good idea to talk to them about what they'd like, if (Gods forbid) something happened to them, explaining what organ donation is, when it happens, and what it does.

I signed up and have been on the donor register since I was first aware of it. I strongly believe in donating organs and when my daughter died, asked whether any of organs could be donated to help others.

My wife helped 3 people after she died. Although it doesn't take the pain away, it helps that her death wasn't completely in vain.

It is a comfort to me that she saved lives.

omg why the hell would you opt out? really bloody selfish if you do tbh -you are basically stopping someone else life being saved - you are dead anyway so what are you keeping your organs for?

They can have whatever they need, if it saves others lives.

I have filled in the forms and have had a reply from the university saying yes please. A job for next week is to inform our family solicitor to see if they need a copy.

It's very straightforward.

I also don’t want my uterus to be transplanted as in this scenario, or worse, to be used for experimental pregnancies for transgendered males

No I wouldn't want this either, so perhaps leaving my body to medical science really is the way forward. If I get old(er) and grey(er) nobody will want my organs anyway.

To answer the pp above, no I've not arranged it or really looked into it. But when my father died it somehow came up but when I looked briefly into it at the time, you had to leave your own body and NOK couldn't do it for you. I will investigate at some point though.

(For University medical research)

I have donated my childs organs, and it's a fairly harrowing process, the thought of a family potentially going through that after having their loved one die unexpectedly and then not really having a say in it is chilling.

The change in the law only applies to adults, not children. Organ donation by the families of children will still be on an opt in basis.

I am glad we are moving to an opt out policy.

If you feel really against organ donation you will opt out. Those that are ok with it but would never get round to opting in are now included.

Personally I am happy to donate any organ just as I would accept any if I needed too but totally understand if people don't want donate.

What are you going to do with your eyes OP?

I feel a bit sad at the thought of DHs eyes with someone else, or his skin on someone else, because these are things that I see and can touch (well...I don't touch his eyes but you know what I mean). But ultimately, he won't be using them when he's gone, and I'd hope he'd be lucky enough to receive an organ. Doesn't affect me what happens to my body once I'm gone. DH knows my feelings and I know his.

In the heat of the moment, losing a loved one, I understand how hard it must be to say yes, take their organs. It sounds and feels so final! But I hope I am strong enough to do it for my family.

I will opt out. My belief what happens after you die requires that my body needs to be intact.

I don't like the State's assumption that I WILL give my organs. They can fuck off.

I’m really sorry to hear that @Olliephaunt4eyes

Brings the importance of it home.

Happy to hand over my organs, I’d want someone else’s should I need so would be hypocritical bot to return the favour. Besides I don’t think I’d be needing them once one gone.

@2020BetterBeBetter I signed up and have been on the donor register since I was first aware of it. I strongly believe in donating organs and when my daughter died, asked whether any of organs could be donated to help others.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

You did an amazing, wonderful, generous thing at a time of unspeakable pain. Thank you

Let me have some time to think about whether I’ll need my organs when I’m dead....

3 seconds pass

... No

Well, that was easy!

My view is that they can have it all, which reminds me I wanted to look up if I can donate my organs and leave what's left to science.

The change in the law only applies to adults

Even adults are someone's child.

I strongly believe organ donation should always be a gift, never an assumption.

I respect the right of any individual to opt out if they feel they have a good reason to do so, but I genuinely can't think of any reason there could be.
I am so glad this change has been brought in.

Do what sits right with your conscience, having asked yourself what possible use you'd have for your organs after you've died, and why you wouldn't want to save the lives of several other people if the opportunity were there.

There seem to be a few people with the same misconception. The state ding pen your body. Your family still have the final say. It makes it easier for them to say yes knowing you didn’t have an objection to donation.

From the site linked above...
Will you automatically take my organs if I don't opt out?
No. Your family would always be involved before donation takes place, so it is really important that you choose whether you want to be a donor and discuss what you want to happen with your family, so your decision is clear and they can have peace of mind knowing that your decision is being honoured.