Page 22 | I’ve withdrawn from organ donation register

Purpledogcollar · 2023-08-28T21:04:21+00:00

I give blood and have always been very pro organ donation. Sadly I have just withdrawn as protest against reproductive organ donation. I can’t support it and am very conflicted as would like to donate other organs. What are your views and is it a hasty decision (although not sure I would change my mind).

Wowjustwow99 · 29/08/2023 08:57

I find this thread slight saddening !

My partner is a transplant patients, before we met I didn't know how I felt about donating my organs but I look at him as a father and think our children have a dad so why wouldn't you donate if you can.

You never know if you or one of your family might need this "service"

I find people today very selfish and they only seem to think about themselves!

Your dead and nothing will change that, but you could change someone's life and their families. 🤷🏼‍♀️

lavendersbluedillydilly12 · 29/08/2023 08:59

Your next of kin give or don't give consent anyway. My husband and I don't give consent because you're not actually dead when you donate organs. The concept of 'brain death' was invented to enable organ donation.

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:00

If you opt out do they also remove you from the transplant wait list if you need one?

Celticdawn5 · 29/08/2023 09:01

I opted out when presumed consent came in too.

Flickersy · 29/08/2023 09:02

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:00

If you opt out do they also remove you from the transplant wait list if you need one?

No, because the NHS treats people based on their medical need, not on their moral choices.

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:02

Flickersy · 29/08/2023 08:33

You can't opt out of something you're not bloody opted in to.

I'm not sure how people aren't getting this. You can no more opt out of being a uterus donor than you can opt out of having gills installed.

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As I have already said, it is an opt out rather than an opt in process. Some people don't even know they are opted in automatically.

For me, I don't want to have to keep an eye on the situation in case it changes in order to opt out later should the situation change or additional items, such as a uterine transplant, is added. Therefore I am opting out of all of it.

But clearly as tissue experintation relating to uterine transplant / plus the transplant itself, is a concern for many women, it would be sensible for the register to include an opt out for this in advance, so that they don't lose any more donors.

I'm not sure how you're not getting this to be honest. But as it seems to be important to you and the other quite rude and angry posters that people like me fall into line and stay on the register, then swearing, not listening and ridiculing my position is not going to achieve that goal.

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:02

No one wants anyone's womb!
It's experimental. It's not part if the organ donor thing. It's like face transplants that's not on their either

Coffeetree · 29/08/2023 09:02

Flickersy · 28/08/2023 22:08

You're being ridiculous. Reproductive organ donation is far from being standard or commonplace at this point in medical history, and you can choose what organs you wish to donate in any event.

Exactly. Someone close to me refused to get a live kidney donation from a loved one (her choice) and is only alive today because of a cadaver transplant. If you don't want to donate, fine, but stop scaremongering. That's really irresponsible.

CherryMaDeara · 29/08/2023 09:02

Destiny123 · 29/08/2023 08:26

Such cases are truly awful but definitely not the norm. I anaesthetise for organ donation, the team treat them no different to their own family member (I don't want to say more than an alive patient but there's a massive degree of respect and gratefulness, many actually thank the indiviudal), the nurses are super caring when tending to the body afterwards and really look after the families.

In the instance of heart beating donation (the less common one, where support is withdrawn and the individual passes away "normally" the icu nurse and organ donation nurse sit with the family and the patient until the very end and manage any symptoms they may have before they pass. It's all as peaceful as we can make it. Radio or music in the anaesthetic room family all allowed in etc

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That’s lovely to know, you do incredible
work

Potentialmadcatlady · 29/08/2023 09:02

One of my (adult) children will need a transplant in the future to save his life.
He has discussed with me how he wants to donate anything that can be used after his death. He isn’t aware it isn’t possible for him to donate.
My other (adult) child and I have had in depth discussions about what we would both be happy to donate and what we wouldn’t.
We have in depth discussions together as a family about what measures we would/wouldn’t want in the event of death/accident etc.
I am so sad to hear the amount of people now removing themselves from the list, as it means so many More people will die, while waiting for organs, that quite frankly will do no good being burnt or put into the ground to rot.
I would not be happy with my womb etc being used and I doubt my daughter would either ( I will discuss this with her) so this will not happen as family wishes are taken into account.
If I was to die then my wishes will be enforced by my family. I have no concerns that they won’t follow my wishes.
The question is this… all those removing their names- Are you ready to sit by the bedside of a loved one and watch them die when a donated organ could save them?
That wouldn’t actually happen- not being willing to donate does not stop you being given the chance of a donation but could you look at yourself in the mirror? Because I know I couldn’t.

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:04

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:02

As I have already said, it is an opt out rather than an opt in process. Some people don't even know they are opted in automatically.

For me, I don't want to have to keep an eye on the situation in case it changes in order to opt out later should the situation change or additional items, such as a uterine transplant, is added. Therefore I am opting out of all of it.

But clearly as tissue experintation relating to uterine transplant / plus the transplant itself, is a concern for many women, it would be sensible for the register to include an opt out for this in advance, so that they don't lose any more donors.

I'm not sure how you're not getting this to be honest. But as it seems to be important to you and the other quite rude and angry posters that people like me fall into line and stay on the register, then swearing, not listening and ridiculing my position is not going to achieve that goal.

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For me, I don't want to have to keep an eye on the situation in case it changes in order to opt out later should the situation change or additional items, such as a uterine transplant, is added. Therefore I am opting out of all of it. you won't have to keep an eye on it. It will be in the news and we'll publicised. They'll know some people will object so they'll have to get the word to people. It isn't suddenly going to be right anyone who dies from now we can have your womb without informing the public that's what's happening

CherryMaDeara · 29/08/2023 09:04

OceanicBoundlessness · 29/08/2023 08:31

I would like my family to decide as I don't know what circumstances they might be facing this in. Ultimately, they are likely to say yes, but I want them to have the control in case there are circumstances that are too distressing.
There's no tickbox for yes in principle, but please confer with my family.

I think the option where you nominate family to decide for you is effectively this option.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 29/08/2023 09:04

Heyheyitsanotherday · 29/08/2023 07:39

So the specialist nurse in organ donation (Snod) has access to the organ donation register and can see what you chose. This would be discussed with your husband during consent but for example they would say “pinksparklypussycat” chose not to donate her eyes and skin etc therefore I will put decline. Just so it’s clear and your husband doesn’t go home worrying later that eyes weren’t mentioned and what if they’re taken. Information is very clear.
we go with the decision on the organ donation register unless nok can say otherwise.
I once took consent for a gorgeous family whose sister had opted out of heart donation. They’d never discussed it and he didn’t understand why. He really wanted his sister to donate her heart but as they’d never spoken about it we have to decline on her last known decision.
telling your next of kin exactly what you want is the most important thing to do. Even if you opt in for every organ and tissue family’s can override this and say no. Make your wish known 💕

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Thank you for explaining, I will most likely go back on back on the register now. I was worried DH would be asked about the organs I don't choose to donate and feel pressured.

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:05

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:02

As I have already said, it is an opt out rather than an opt in process. Some people don't even know they are opted in automatically.

For me, I don't want to have to keep an eye on the situation in case it changes in order to opt out later should the situation change or additional items, such as a uterine transplant, is added. Therefore I am opting out of all of it.

But clearly as tissue experintation relating to uterine transplant / plus the transplant itself, is a concern for many women, it would be sensible for the register to include an opt out for this in advance, so that they don't lose any more donors.

I'm not sure how you're not getting this to be honest. But as it seems to be important to you and the other quite rude and angry posters that people like me fall into line and stay on the register, then swearing, not listening and ridiculing my position is not going to achieve that goal.

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But is support your right to opt out for whatever reason or none. I just think it's important everyone makes their decision with all the information. Not just fear.

NatashaDancing · 29/08/2023 09:07

I opted in decades ago but kept a note with my organ donation card that no reproductive tissue or organs could be used for any purpose, either direct to a recipient or research.

I have very strong views about assisted conception and have been uncomfortable with it ever since the first "test tube baby". I'm happy for other organs and tissue to be used but I don't want to assist that field of medicine in any way.

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:08

NatashaDancing · 29/08/2023 09:07

I opted in decades ago but kept a note with my organ donation card that no reproductive tissue or organs could be used for any purpose, either direct to a recipient or research.

I have very strong views about assisted conception and have been uncomfortable with it ever since the first "test tube baby". I'm happy for other organs and tissue to be used but I don't want to assist that field of medicine in any way.

That seems a good solution

anyolddinosaur · 29/08/2023 09:10

You can opt into donate to certain things and not others. The only one that could be conceivably be used to justify reproductive organs in someone who has opted out of something else is tissue. So just opt out of that if you are concerned.

If you have opted in to everything then they can say its implied permission to use reproductive organs, should that ever become feasible.

I suspect more people will opt out of tissue until the NHS includes a specific reproductive organs box that you can say no to if you wish..

Squiblet · 29/08/2023 09:12

Whether people die or not is besides the point,

That's it, I give up >throws hands in air>

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:12

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:04

For me, I don't want to have to keep an eye on the situation in case it changes in order to opt out later should the situation change or additional items, such as a uterine transplant, is added. Therefore I am opting out of all of it. you won't have to keep an eye on it. It will be in the news and we'll publicised. They'll know some people will object so they'll have to get the word to people. It isn't suddenly going to be right anyone who dies from now we can have your womb without informing the public that's what's happening

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Not everyone knows it's an automatic opt in now. So clearly there's a chance that many wouldn't know it is in the future either.

So no, that doesn't wash. The only way I will consider going on the register is if that opt out is there.

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:14

moomoosaka · 29/08/2023 09:05

But is support your right to opt out for whatever reason or none. I just think it's important everyone makes their decision with all the information. Not just fear.

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It's not fear. It's ensuring that something that I don't want to happen isn't going to happen.

Fififafa · 29/08/2023 09:16

Notellinganyone · 29/08/2023 08:04

All this ridiculous hysteria has at least prompted me to opt in fully. OP you are being an idiot.

Bingo! I see that “hysteria” has made an appearance 🙄

ChristmasFluff · 29/08/2023 09:18

I withdrew the second it became opt out. It's a gift, not a requirement or an assumption, otherwise it is harvesting, not donation. My family is well aware of what I am willing and not willing to donate, and the whole uterus situation means I feel my decision has been fully validated.

Ascendant15 · 29/08/2023 09:22

I see utterly no difference between any of my organs, and I certainly won't after I am dead. If my reproductive organs help a woman to have her own child then that is fantastic. It's giving life just as a heart or a liver would give life.

melj1213 · 29/08/2023 09:29

Username1107 · 29/08/2023 09:12

Not everyone knows it's an automatic opt in now. So clearly there's a chance that many wouldn't know it is in the future either.

So no, that doesn't wash. The only way I will consider going on the register is if that opt out is there.

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Clearly some people don't understand how the automatic opt in system works - it doesn't mean they can just immediately harvest what they want from your body, it just means that your family can be asked about donation.

Previously your family would only be asked about the possibility of organ donation if you had explicitly signed up to the register. So even if you had no objection to organ donation, and would be willing to do so, if you hadn't filled in the form they would not even ask your family. They changed this with the "automatic opt in" so that everyone is at least asked about donation (where it is a viable option) unless you have said no.

Now, unless you complete the register to say "I explicitly do not want to donate" they will ask your family about organ donation. If you have opted in (IE explicitly said "I want to donate everything/only my heart/liver/kidneys etc") then they will discuss organ donation and let the family know "Jane is registered as an organ donor, she is willing to donate XYZ" so they can make the final decision in the full knowledge of what you have registered as your wishes (as you may not have shared this info with family) and can make an informed decision.

The family still have the final say but, for example, they may have known that Jane was registered as a donor but didn't know that she didn't want to donate her heart or heart valves so they can make the decision to donate the other organs/tissues but respect her wishes not to donate the heart/valves because they have the information from the donor register.

The only other option is to withdraw from the register which basically means you didn't say yes or no so we'll ask your family and they will make the decision purely based on their wishes as you didn't formally record them on the register so can't use them to guide the decision.

ActDottie · 29/08/2023 09:33

I’m pretty sure your reproductive organs will not be donated. I emailed them about this and they confirmed that reproductive organs are not included in organ donation.