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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

when I think of signing up to Organ Donor Register....

38 replies

dillydallydolly · 18/03/2010 08:29

it will bring some sort of misfortune on me??

I absolutely know I am being so silly about this but I just can't get it - that thought out of my head long enough to just go and do it - and am wondering if I'm the only one?? I know the benefits for other people would be great if the worst were to happen (or when it does! we all die someday don't we) and I have fully expressed to DP that that is what I would want to happen, so what is my problem??

OP posts:
coldtits · 18/03/2010 08:31

let's hope nobody else has such a silly idea then, because if a misfortune did fall on you, there wouldn't be any organs for you to have!

If you would take an organ, you should be on the register to give an organ.

peggotty · 18/03/2010 08:32

You are being silly. How many hundreds of thousands of people have signed up and NOT had any 'misfortune' befallen them! What makes you so special . Get yourself on it now. It is the only way you can absolutely guarantee your organs would be used should the worst happen.

Bucharest · 18/03/2010 08:33

I think we have to do it, so that we don't leave someone else with the awful responsibility of making the decision.

I am very pro organ donation, but if one of my loved ones were in that situation, I'm not sure I would be strong enough at that moment to let them have the organs. (if that makes any sense?) That's why I try and encourage my family to do it for themselves.

LouIsOnAHighwayToHell · 18/03/2010 08:58

I signed up the day I turned 18. My parents knew my wishes to organ donate from when I was about 9.

Sign up and think of it in a positve note.

This is one of my favourite news stories about how donation can make a huge change.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Green

waitingforbedtime · 18/03/2010 09:02

You know youre being silly so just sign up now and come back and tell us when youve done it.

You want to do it right?

My dad is waiting for a transplant, its looking v unlikely one will come in time and Id hate to think its because people arent signing up for reasons like this.

follygirl · 18/03/2010 09:02

I've always been very pro-donation but my dh is a bit funny about it. I have persuaded him to sign up though and would donate my dc's organs.

My dad always believed in organ donation and when he died we did try and donate his organs but as he had cancer they couldn't accept any. I would have felt just a bit better about his death if I thought that someone else would have benefitted from it.

As it was, it was just a complete waste.

Of course, it's down to the individual and you have to do what you feel comfortable with.

SLL · 18/03/2010 09:12

I have been on the donor list for years and years and am still fine! Please do register.

MamaGoblin · 18/03/2010 09:13

That's a wee bit irrational. Do it anyway and remind yourself how unlikely actually needing an organ transplant is.

I have a friend who wouldn't donate blood or even leave her organs after death, because she's concerned that they'd go to someone 'bad' that she didn't approve of.

SirBoobAlot · 18/03/2010 09:17

YABVU but you know that don't you? It takes five minutes. My uncle has just had a kidney transplant, and I will be eternally grateful to the donor. I do get what you mean though!

MamaGoblin · 18/03/2010 09:20

Just read that wikipedia link. What a horrible beginning to the story. Amazing that it led to such an uptake in organ registration in Italy, though.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 18/03/2010 09:22

YABU, but I sort of understand why. I have been on the register to donate since I was 18 and it hasn't hurt me. The advert on the telly is really shocking in a good way. My dd saw it last week and asked what it was all about. We had a discussion about it and she want to join the register too. She is 10 years too early and in Switzerland they won't even accept our blood so I imagine solid organs would be even less welcome.

LadyBiscuit · 18/03/2010 09:23

I think you might be the only one. I've been registered for years and I haven't had a single near death experience

MiladyDeWinter · 18/03/2010 09:23

MamaGoblin

dd was once in a desperate condition from blood loss and the medical staff were concerned that although she might be saved if she was moved to London, that she would die on the way there.

It was "made known" to me that a child on the ward was in need and I had to decide even though I was in a state myself.

Is understandable though. (dd is fine and was kept alive by transfusions until she could be treated )

pumperspumpkin · 18/03/2010 09:27

One day you're going to die - that's a pretty big misfortune coming your way already and you can't blame being on the register for it.

If you agree with organ donation, you might as well put your name on the register to have a chance of something positive coming out of your death.

cakewench · 18/03/2010 09:29

If you believe in it, you need to sign up for it. You can tell your partner your intentions all you like, but if you've just died within the last hour or so (or whatever the timeframe is for harvesting organs- it's quite a small window of time iirc), that's hardly the time when he's going to be thinking clearly enough to say "oh yes, she wanted to donate her organs." Or to react similarly should he be asked by staff.

rastababi · 18/03/2010 09:30

Watch Seven Pounds, it'll soon make you change your mind Amazing film.

LouIsOnAHighwayToHell · 18/03/2010 09:31

MamaGoblin - The Italians were amazed that these non Italians would donate organs to people in their country. The parents met the PM etc. It made huge headlines. I am sure there are a lot of touching stories but this one always stuck in my mind

Unfortunately there is still a taboo about organ donation. People are influenced by the church (or insert other religious type organisation here) and the media. I mean, when you are dead you are dead. Surely your 'god' would prefer you to help others by donating organs then being whole when you get to 'heaven'.

I am donating my organs, then body to science then being buried at sea followed by a rather large piss up on the boat.

MiladyDeWinter · 18/03/2010 09:37

It's easier if you're adults and can agree and know what it's all about. When I was approached for dd I was concerned about making the decision for her.

I felt a weird and horrible guilt when dd came through, for the child in need. It's very difficult to explain

MamaGoblin · 18/03/2010 10:01

Milady - . I can imagine what you mean. Of course you were relieved about DD, but ... What a horrible (and unusual) position to be put in. But probably they made the right call in letting you know - it would give a patient's parents time to think it through and make a decision, rather than leave it until they were too upset to think straight.

So glad your DD is fine!

ShadeofViolet · 18/03/2010 10:18

Seven Pounds had me crying like a baby

I have been registered as an organ donor for 10 years and I am still fine.

DH's Dad died waiting for a new pair of lungs, he was called to thr Freeman Hospital twice but unfortunately it wasnt to be. Please do register

sweetnitanitro · 18/03/2010 10:22

I am an organ donor AND a brain donor and I'm still here, although I will be terribly helpful when I do snuff it
Sign up for both!
www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/parkinsons_brain_bank/how_to_become_a_brain_donor.aspx

rastababi · 18/03/2010 10:24

Me too ShadeofViolet, I think I howled for about 3 days

ShadeofViolet · 18/03/2010 10:27

It was even worse as we have a 'family' night once a month where we invite SMIL over for a meal and then watch a film. I had picked it not even knowing what it was about - she sobbed and so did I and I felt so bad. She was so upset when we lost FIL and I think it made her take a few steps back in the healing process.

MiladyDeWinter · 18/03/2010 11:12

Thanks MamaGoblin, it was an unusual situation to be in but I'm glad they let me know, it was done very sensitively and dd and I have discussed it since then as it may happen again

I am going to watch Seven Pounds.

ShadeofViolet · 18/03/2010 11:17

Watch it with tissues!