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Original poster

Would you donate your organs after death?

20 replies

Mirage · 16/11/2004 20:14

I don't often watch daytime TV,but caught the tail end of a programme about organ transplants this morning.I ended up in floods of tears after hearing about a young lad who was so ill by the time he got his transplant that he never made it through the op.He was only 18 .

I used to carry an organ donor card,but lost it.I've just gone & registered online as a donor-as far as I'm concerned they can have anything they like after I'm gone.

How many people here would donate their organs?Are there any that you wouldn't want removed or do you not agree with it at all?I'd be interested to know.

OP posts:
Gomez · 16/11/2004 20:16

Can have all except my eyes - for some unknown reason I would quite like to see when I am on the way to hell .

lou33 · 16/11/2004 20:16

i would. I carry a card

Fran1 · 16/11/2004 20:17

i have had a card for years, and have the same attitude as you, they can do what they like once i'm gone.

But dp feels v uncomfortable about this, and asked me to cancel the card (i havn't ) But i do consider it, because he says if i die before him and he is aware of my body getting cut up (as he puts it)he couldn't bare the thought of it.

I understand where he is coming from and feel guilty to put him thru that whilst grieving. But i have my wishes.

Tricky subject that we have just brushed under the carpet for the mo!!

zubb · 16/11/2004 20:17

I'm registered so that they can take anything that still works - I won't be needing it.

Furball · 16/11/2004 20:19

This was discussed a week or so ago click Here

NomDePlume · 16/11/2004 20:19

I carry a card, have done since I was 15. All my family know my wishes and I'm on the register. They can have whatever they like.

prefernot · 16/11/2004 20:26

I'm registered. They can have anything at all that works. I intend on being cremated anyway so there's not much point holding onto anything.

Dior · 16/11/2004 20:29

Message withdrawn

KBear · 16/11/2004 20:51

I carry a donor card. My DH doesn't though and although I understand it is his choice, I think when you are dead you no longer need your body and so many people are waiting for transplants. I would of course respect his wishes.

Someone I know recently had a heart transplant after being struck suddenly with cardiomyopathy and he wouldn't be here now unless a brave family had agreed to donation after their loved one's death. What an awful decision to have to make so carrying a donor card relieves them of that burden in a way as the decision is ultimately not theirs.

Do you think a family can object to organ donation even if the deceased had a donor card?

80sMum · 16/11/2004 21:03

They can take whatever bits they like as far as I'm concerned.

AussieSim · 16/11/2004 21:09

It says so on my Drivers' Licence and has always done so, but my DH has said that he is not sure that he would consent if asked.

lydialemon · 16/11/2004 21:17

I'm registered, Dh is registered and if anything happened to the kids I hope I'd be strong enough to stick with our resolution of donating theirs as well.

Slinky · 16/11/2004 21:20

Both DH and I are on the Donor Register - can take what they like after we're gone although my lungs are a bit knackered

misdee · 16/11/2004 21:23

i will get registered. used have a card years ago.

Kbear, my dh has dilated cardiomyopathy, and he is waiting to hear if he needs a transplant. they are hopeing to hold off for a few more years. fingers crossed.

JanH · 16/11/2004 21:24

LOL at "not much point holding on to anything", prefernot!

I carry a card and am registered online. DH has a card - I think - not sure if he's registered. The kids are not registered IIRC but I know if they ever needed a transplant we would want them to have one so if, god forbid, the situation arose, how could we do other than let them be donors too?

winnie1 · 16/11/2004 21:38

One thing I love about MN is that it often prompts me to take action I have been meaning to take for some time Thanks

stupidgirl · 16/11/2004 21:41

KBear, I'm pretty sure that family can refuse to donate organs, even if the person in question carries a donor card.

I carry one and have since I was old enough to know the issues. I don't mind what they take.

I accept it is a hard decision to make, but surely there is some comfort in knowing that you may be able to spare someone else the pain that you are going through?

What about blood? Does anyone here donate blood?

marthamoo · 16/11/2004 21:42

Yes. I've carried a donor card for about 17 years and I recently registered online too.

I think a system where you actively had to opt out if you didn't want to be a donor would be much better - and for doctors to be required by law to ask your next-of-kin in the event of your death.

nailpolish · 16/11/2004 21:47

im a nurse and i work in the liver kidney and pancreas transplant unit of our local hospital. can i just say thank you to everyone who carries a card and is registered? transplant is not always the answer and its a difficult decision to make on both sides but when it does work it makes more difference that you could imagine, esp with kidneys and pancreas. yes, even if you have a card your family can refuse so its really important to tell your family your wishes and for them to understand

thank you again

PicadillyCircus · 16/11/2004 21:48

I'd be happy for any part of me to be used when I die and carry a donor card.

And I registered online recently as well.

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