Re-organ-isation
Earlier this evening I ‘re-tweeted’ something which I thought was important, from blog reader Rachel. It’s since occurred to me that not everyone in the world is on Twitter yet. George Michael is, and Kirstie from Location Location Location, but that still leaves a few. So I’m going to deliver the message in this old-school format too.
Basically there are loads of people who need your organs. They aren’t going to take them while you’re still alive, but they will need them at some point. The list of people waiting for transplants is always ahead of demand, as it were. People are still dying in this country because they just can’t get the relevant body parts replaced. While at the same time lots of other people die without a donor card and their still-serviceable organs get chucked away. This is a shame.
Whatever you’re doing while you read this blog – lying in bed, eating toast, having a wee – the chances are you could do without the thought ‘I wonder what will happen to my bits, once I’ve died?’ But I’m pretty sure it doesn’t hurt to have them removed once you’re at that stage, and I have it on good authority that if there is a Heaven or afterlife etc, we all get issued with a new body designed to our specifications, e.g. nicer arms, straight nose. So there’s nothing to stop you sharing it out.
Apparently an average of three people die a day because they couldn’t get a transplant. This is bonkers.
You can sign up and get all relevant information on this site:
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk
It answers some of your pressing questions on the subject, such as FAQ no7: ‘How can they tell if you are really dead?’ – and also gives you the option of donating fancy stuff like your corneas, which you probably never even thought of. And there’s good old-fashioned blood, which they remain in constant need of.
I’ve never done any of this myself, but I’m going to sign up now and I encourage you to do the same. I’ve said it before, death is a real pisser. At least by becoming a donor, you can stop someone else from having to face up to its cold lonely horror before their time. I’m paraphrasing the website here.
GIVE THEM YOUR BLOODY LIVER!
Posted by Kate W on July 15, 2011
I’m on the organ donor register (which you can also do with your Boots card, oddly enough), but I’d really encourage people to talk to family about it as well as signing up. As far as I understand it, should the situation arise where you’re a potential donor, you having joined the register doesn’t necessarily override next of kin saying they don’t want your organs donated. So it can make a big difference to have discussed it beforehand so they know what you want.
Also a blood donor (though I don’t give as often as I should…), but annoyingly can’t sign up for bone marrow – thanks, previous neurological condition! Anyone worried about giving blood, it’s really not bad; the nurses do nothing else all day, so they’re very good at making it quick and painless.
Posted by Lydia on July 12, 2011
Thanks, Sam.
Posted by Andrew on July 12, 2011
Not only providing a positive healthcare message, but also (with the mention of George Michael and Location Location Location) giving me yet another reason to give the abomination that is Twitter a wide berth! Good job!
Posted by MusicalLottie on July 12, 2011
Mm, I completely forgot to add that an opt-out system would be so much more effective, although it’s met with such opposition in the UK that I doubt even the collective power of the Watsonians could do much about it.
Posted by MusicalLottie on July 12, 2011
Like LisaD, the box for donating one’s corneas baffles me. I honestly can’t think of any reason someone would donate other organs, but not their corneas. Odd.
I like that now one can register when applying for a driving licence, and online, and when applying for an EHIC … etc. Though I would like to have a card to carry because it’s such a simple process (and my brain is so stupid) that I sometimes forget I’ve done it!
@Sam: Actually, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t discourage organ donation/transplantation. There are no specific guidelines in the Bible apart from the command to abstain from blood – but bloodless medicine is far more successful than most people realise, so organ donation/transplantation is entirely possible, and we view it as a matter of conscience. Bloodless transplants are more common than people tend to think. My friend’s Dad had a kidney transplant without blood and not only was he out of hospital much quicker than expected, but his kidney started working within a few hours, rather than a few days. [He also has had a heart bypass and was back home in one-third of the anticipated time - he doesn't have good health generally so his rapid recoveries surprised everybody. I'm not trying to preach; just showing that honestly it can work
]
Posted by hornseygirl on July 11, 2011
I have to admit that it was only when I became a parent that I pulled my finger out and got my donor card.
I must also admit that the medical people are welcome to take everything with the exception of my corneas. Although my eyesight’s not great, I don’t necessarily think my cr@p left eye would rule me out for a corneal transplant.
I am a pretty logical person for the most part, and this is clearly not logical. I clearly need to research and review this!
Posted by Simone on July 11, 2011
I remember my Dad telling me that he had registered his organs when I was a little girl and it horrified me. And now, almost 15 years later, I am on a such a list. I think it’s very important that people are aware.
Posted by Sam on July 11, 2011
Lydia – If you live in the UK you can donate blood by going to your local donation centre. I think you need to register as a donor first. But you can find out all the info you need, including your nearest centre by going to either of these websites:
http://www.blood.co.uk (if you’re in England or Wales)
http://www.scotblood.co.uk (if you’re in Scotland)
Posted by Sam on July 11, 2011
I just also wanted to point out that actually there are a lot of people who have a misconception about religous beliefs on organ donation. And actually the majority of religions actively encourage it. All major sectionis of Christianity support it, as does Islam and Judaism, even the Amish supports it as it helps others. Some Orthodox Jews are against it as they beleive it defiles the corpse, but this view is receeding, with rabbinical authorities stating that it’s ok to delay burial as it’s part of their duty to help others.
The main one’s with don’t support it are Shinto as the corpse is thought of as impure, and Jehovah’s Witness’. But even with Jehovah’s it’s due to the blood transfusion issue and if the donation can take place without the transfusion of blood and the organ being cleaned of all blood then it is fine, although this is very rare.
I think the only other faith of a reasonable size (there are some small and very localized groups which disagree with it, but that’s a tiny number) is Christian Science. They try and avoid modern medicine in favour of prayer and meditation but it is not banned by their faith merely discouraged.
The reason’s against organ donation are so limited that we really should have an “opt out” system.
Posted by Helen on July 11, 2011
An excellent title for an excellent blog. I am now signed up.
Posted by lisan66 on July 11, 2011
I know in Ireland you can sign up on your driver’s licence, and there’s a little box that says corneas if you want to donate them too. But you can also just carry a card in your purse, and they normally have them in chemists, you just have to sign it and get your next-of-kin to sign it too. I definitely thnk it should be opt-out though, people are much more likely to opt-out of something than opt-in anyway.
Posted by Lydia on July 11, 2011
My granddad donated his brain to dementia research people. Which is different, I know, but still kind of cool. I think people are even more creeped out by the idea of donating to medical research. Some of my family were upset about it, but I don’t really understand why. It’s not like he was using it anymore, and he had been talking about doing it for years.
I am signing up now. This is one of those things that I think a lot of people are always meaning to get around to. Thanks for posting the link.
As for giving blood, that’s another one I have always kind of wanted to do. But I don’t know how. Do you go to the doctors or something? I am aware I sound stupid for not knowing this.
Posted by Rachael on July 11, 2011
I have had a few arguements about this in my time, I just can’t fathom why anyone would not sign up! It’s as if people think they are still going to need their organs after death. You have also inadvertently reminded me that I was going to sign up to the bone marrow registry so I will go do that now…
Posted by amycool on July 11, 2011
I really wish people had to opt-out rather than opt-in. It’s insane to let so many people die.
I’ve always thought it better to get rid of as many organs as possible because then there’s less of you to dispose of afterwards. I doubt anyone would want my lungs by the time I die (they’re riddled with disease), and my eyes are a bit crap, and my left kidney gets recurring stones, but even then, given the option of dying/going blind/being on dialysis forever, or having slightly rubbish organs, I’d prefer the rubbish organs.
Sadly I can’t give blood because I’m on permanent antibiotics. I would have thought that would make my blood even better, but apparently not.
Posted by LisaD on July 11, 2011
Why would someone donate organs and then opt out of donating their corneas? I’m not asking to be judge-y; I’m genuinely flummoxed by the idea. Sure, take my heart and lungs but leave my eyes ’cause I’ll need them later? Is there a thing I’m not getting? What the heck?
In the States they ask about being a donor when you get your driver’s license, but you can sign up to be a donor regardless, you just need a card in your wallet.
Posted by Sam on July 11, 2011
I’m so glad you’re helping to raise awareness of this. I’ve been registered for years now – on the basis of “i’m dead, I won’t be needing any of it so please help yourselves”. But it’s really surprising (and sad) how many people aren’t registered and not because of any strongly held views against it (which people are entitled to) but because they’ve just never gotten round to it.
I quite like what they do in North America, where consent or not is captured through the driving licence as at least that’s a prompt for most people to consider it and make a decision.
I also think presumed consent is the way forward, where you need to “opt out” of organ donation. But that seems to get shot down in the UK whenever the subject is up for discussion. Some wild arguments against it – such as doctors wouldn’t try so hard to save you, because they’d be thinking “hmmm, that lovely liver would do Mrs Smith maybe I’ll just let this one die so she can have it”.
Anyway, I guess it’s a personal decision but it’s such a shame that apathy or ignorance of the process means a lot of people who would donate aren’t on the register.
Posted by Tibbs on July 11, 2011
I already ticked all of the donor options the last time I renewed my health card (I think Nova Scotia used to do it through your drivers license, which is weird and also annoying since I don’t have one of those), but this post has reminded that it’s finally been a year since I got back from Korea, which means I can book an appointment to give blood! I will do that tomorrow.
Posted by Katie K on July 11, 2011
I have sometimes wondered how you sign up to something like that, so it’s great to finally have a direct link, so I can register. After all, I’m not an Egyptian Pharoah & I might as well be cleared of all body parts, before being cremated. Give away your organs, don’t burn or bury them or put them in jars.
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on July 10, 2011
oh, and glad to hear you have sorted the shoes, the red ones were nice but in very shabby condition compared to the rest of you (is this a compliment? I’m not sure!) are the new ones red? red is a nice colour, we are not allowed to have it/wear it in our house (football related reason that I don’t really understand)
I got new walking boots last week, walked ten miles in them today in preparation for my China trek, hadn’t intended to walk quite that far but due to my dodgy map reading skills that was just the way of it … now have sore feet and sunburn but feeling kind of virtuous having done so much exercise
Posted by Alex on July 10, 2011
*put you off. No idea why I wrote after.
Posted by Alex on July 10, 2011
I’m an organ donor. I have attempted to be a blood donor several times but it seems it is not to be (the time they actually let me do it they broke me. This hasn’t happened to ANYONE else I know though, so don’t let it put you after). I’m still a bit confused by bone marrow donation though. I’ll look into it.
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on July 10, 2011
Already on donor register, also Anthony Nolan bone marrow register, they can have whatever they like after I’ve gone if it helps someone else. Not allowed to give blood as had cancer in 2006 but hopefully can at some point. Can’t think what else I can do for the moment. My nephew is at medical school training to be a surgeon so hopefully he will be a more useful Penrose than I am in the saving lives department …
Posted by Rhian on July 10, 2011
Couldn’t remember if I had signed up, certainly intended to, have now just in case.
Posted by Sam on July 10, 2011
Can I say that the cornea business is often over-looked but also important. I’ve had a cornea transplant myself and there is a large shortage of corneas as a lot of people who sign up to the organ donor register opt-out of donating their corneas. It is an important thing, whilst not life or death in the majority of cases it is still important. Without the one I had I would currently be fully blind and may still need another in the future.
Posted by Misha on July 10, 2011
I’m pleased to say i’m on the donor register. Sadly I can’t donate blood due to a massive, massive phobia of needles, but organs yes.