Have you signed up to give your organs up if you die?

Should it be only on an opt out basis only- eg everyones organs are considered unless you specifically state otherwise.

I guess the number of people who have donor cards is pretty low.

I am and registered, but they canne have my eyes. I have a problem with eyes and touching them and urgh.

Moon Maiden

Me too Moon. My eyes stay with me, the rest can be hacked!

It may be a spritual thing but (even though I'm not sure about GOD n all that) I may need the eyes to guide me to the next realm!

They can have anything they want! Not sure if I'm registered. Is there a register? I just thought you had to carry a card, but even with the card they still had to ask your relatives' permission.

I was just going to put this on, but it is already here and doesn't have a DNR on it so, bump.

I think it should be an opt out basis myself, because so much goes to waste.

If you are registered do they still have to ask your relatives?

And corneas is one thing i would give as my nanna had many eye problems, and would not leave my whole body just organs.

Should be opt out definately, there's a huge shortage, a disgusting black market and a very difficult job for NHS staff having to ask distressed relatives.
Alternatively, everyone who is treated by the NHS should sign a document which states "yes, I wish to be an organ recipient if this is appropriate to my treatment and yes, I volunteer my own organs for donation in the case of my death"

To bring religion into this..... I understand that the whole body must be interred after death according to some religious practices, in which case is it appropriate for these groups to be organ recipients?

im not sure on the opt out thing, but i wouldnt be comfortable with the thought of my organs being pulled out of my body, or the same for anyone in my family, i guess i would want the whole thing to be buried / burned in one piece

If we reintroduced the death penalty we could have live organ donation.

I ticked that all my organs can be used - not like I'd be needing them when I'm dead...

Ive got a card but not sure If I am registered. If my organs are still in good nick when I pop my clogs theyre welcome to use whatever they can salvage.
Im of the opinion that when youre gone, youre gone and your body is pretty much a lump of meat.

I pity the fool who gets my brain :D

I am slightly concerned about the new wave of face transplants for those who have been badly burnt, my inner jury is out on that one.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
If we reintroduced the death penalty we could have live organ donation.

I was waiting for someone to suggest selling the organ to cover the cost of execution! Of course after most forms of execution its not as if your organs would be of much use to anyone!!!

Just caught the end of Casualty on the BBC... not too interested in the programme until the end when two friends of ours from the past, Erika and Eamon Philipson, were on explaining that their 9 yr old son Andrew died in a car acident, and they complied with his wishes and donated his organs.

He was 9, and he had already discussed the issue of donation with his parents....

They lived in Nottingham at the time (15 years ago) and were understandibly devastated when the accident happenened but have had 15 years of feeling that Andrews wishes were acted on and his maturity and thoughtfulness before his death have helped others to live.

(We've lost touch now but I think his corneas were donated too, so someone who was blind has been able to see for 15 years as well)

Please find out more & sign up http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/donation/

I would be very proud of the lad if that were my son.. he showed a lot of maturity and compassion for others to say he was only 9 years old.

The world needs more people like that young lad at the moment.

My brother was killed in a car accident just one week after his 21st birthday. He carried a donor card. Luckily mum and dad were very aware of the benefits of organ donation and agreed to it.

All the sadness and heartache was tinged with the hope that other people have lived on.

I'm on the organ donor register and I can't really understand people who aren't.

Originally posted by Hels
My brother was killed in a car accident just one week after his 21st birthday. He carried a donor card. Luckily mum and dad were very aware of the benefits of organ donation and agreed to it.

All the sadness and heartache was tinged with the hope that other people have lived on.

I'm on the organ donor register and I can't really understand people who aren't.

Hels I obviously never knew that...very sad!! Having never found myself in that position (and hopefully never will *touches wood*) I can understand what puts people off organ donation...it's the feeling of their childs/loved one's body being 'tampered with' and not knowing what their wishes were but to be honest once you know there is no hope for them it surely must be a comfort to know they can help beyond the grave and benefit another human being/loved one.

I have carried a donor card since I was 16 and my family are also aware of my wishes to donate...I would hope this would remove any reservations they may have if the 'decision' ever arose!

Comfort must be found in knowing it was what the deceased wanted.

Mind you I don't think anyone would want my liver....I do give it a battering...

:hihi:

I talked about this with my eldest the other day , she asked what a donar card was ? .I showed her mine as I am registered, she was quite teary about this . "Your not going to die mum " but when I told her no hopefully not yet , but when I do at least you will know that I will have given life to somebody else .And thats got to be a good feeling ?

My missus was quite upset when I told her I had a donor card- I think she had the same thought as well 'someone tampering with my body after my death' until I reassured her, that I would be alive and well in someone else out there.

If it means giving someone else a chance of a normal life, then I'm quite happy to donate anything that is needed :)

I signed up after the show and the site seemed slow so thats a good sign that it was busy! I also signed some other people up (with their permission!) and tried to make some people sign up but they wouldnt as they didnt like the thought of it (?)

I think that programme will have done a lot of good.

I really hope the programme has encouraged, even a few, people to re-consider organ donation.

Hubby, for a long time said he would not agree to my organs being donated if I died before him - despite me being on the organ donor register. We had quite a few arguments about it at one time (I told him if he did not allow my organs to be used I would come back and haunt him)! He's changed his mind now though, not sure exactly why, but I think now he's really thought about it he can see it makes sense.

I suppose it depends on how we are brought up and what experiences we have. To me, what a waste it would be to bury/burn my body and my organs when they could sustain life for someone else.

I strongly believe that if someone is on the organ donor register and/or carries an organ donor card, then their next of kin should not be able to oppose that decision. But as it stands, it is down to the next of kin to make the final decision.

When we lose someone close to us, we know the pain and heartache that brings, nothing can change that, but why would anyone allow others to go through that pain if it can be avoided by organ donation?

I believe the soul of an individual leaves their body when they die, leaving their body as an empty shell. For me, donating organs does not intefere with the soul of a person so please, please, please think about it - for yourself and for anyone for whom you are the next of kin - young or old. It is sad to think that one day we may be in the position of making that decision but thinking about it and talking about it now will make things easier should you ever be in that awful position ....

Kittykat - good for you!

I hope you live to a ripe old age, but I think it is really great that you have made the decision :thumbsup:

Forgot to say before - I reckon my liver will be a bit 'over-used' but my kidneys are (apparantly) super human! And my heart - well i've got a big one so that should do someone a bit of good ...

I've been on the register for a long time and have made sure my family know - they are positive also about organ donation. I hope its not too long before we have an 'opt out' system rather than the 'opt in' we have now, then perhaps everyone on the waiting list for organs could have them.

They can have any part of me they can find a use for - not that there will be much of use I guess by the time I die. I intend to live for a very very long time.

Probably be needing glasses before I die, on a pace maker or my heart packing in, lungs full of tar from smoking, bones old and brittle, kidneys dead, liver about as much use as a sardine left out of the can for a month, and so on.

Doubt they will find much of use, but they can have it anyhow.

Ticked the donor box when I applied for my driving licence and my family know I do not care one way or the other so - no problems.

Dragon