Giving A Part Of Yourself

November 22, 2007, 12:30 AM

Well, just wondering, who in here would donate their organs willingly to others? (Family members or complete strangers) How do you feel about those who donates their organs to total strangers? Of course, you either have to be dead to donate organs, unless it’s our lungs or kidneys since we can still live with the other remaining one.
<o:p> </o:p>
I honestly find that action to be very admirable and noble. I wouldn’t mind donating my organs later down the road, either it be heart, liver or lungs and kidneys.

<o:p> </o:p>
I suppose I’m inspired because of recent events that’s happening to my friend’s life. He’s actually a member here (shugafree)…he’s just inactive. Anyway, he’s leaving for <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> 5 days from now in order to get his organs transplant (liver, kidney, and pancreas) since the operation will be cheaper than here in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>
<o:p> </o:p>
I know he’s scared because (aside from the pain he'll be experiencing after the operation) in a normal body, a liver has 82% chance of living, a kidney has 80% chance of living, and a pancreas has a 83% chance of living after an operation. In his body, a new liver has a 12% chance of living, a kidney has a 9% chance of living, and a pancreas has 7% chance of living…according to him. I’m not sure if the numbers are right, but it seems pretty accurate.
<o:p> </o:p>
One thing’s for sure right now. I’d like to fly back to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place> 3 months or so from now (his return date…it was supposed to be 8 months, but he was really pushing for 3 months...doubt it'll happen by 3 months though) and welcome him home, myself…with a guarantee that everything will be okay from thereon.
<o:p> </o:p>
And since this suits the usual “What are you thankful for?” theme for Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for those who donate a part of themselves to save lives.

November 22, 2007, 12:43 AM

my sister has a friend like that. He needs to get a heart transplant by december or he go underground. I'd probably donate organs after I died, but not right now. I'm still using these things.

November 22, 2007, 10:48 AM

I definitely would, if I have parts to spare, they might as well go to where they're needed.

November 22, 2007, 1:44 PM

I'm already on the donor list for when I die, they can take what they want, seeing as I will be dead it doesn't really matter. It amazes me that families object about their dead relatives donating but if it can stop another family going through the same anguish, surley they would agree?

As for dionating something like a kidney etc if I were alive then I would do it for a loved one or close friend but tbh, I couldn't imagine doing it for a complete stranger, it just wouldn't feel right. What if at a later date someone I loved needed said kidney?
I'm aware that the likelyhood of needing to donate once is slim nevermind twice but no, I wouldn't donate to a stranger unless I was already dead

November 22, 2007, 8:38 PM

I'm not sure whether I would. While it's a lovely idea and I'd love to save someone elses life, it seems strange. Someone using organs from my body, organs I was born with... People using a part of me... It's a weird idea. I've considered it though. I might put myself on the donor list when I'm older. I need to think about it more.

November 22, 2007, 9:25 PM

Ooh i don't know.. I don't think I could like, give a kidney or something whilst I am still alive, hell I couldn't even give blood! I would like to, but I am far far far too squeamish and absolutely terrified of needles and blood and can't even talk about it without getting freaked out. As for donating my organs once I'm dead.. I don't know either, I would like to as it saves someones life, and what do i need them for?

November 22, 2007, 9:46 PM

See, when i'm older i'd get a donor card and everything, but knowing me the day after i got it, i'd like die in a car crash or something. Which puts me off getting one.

I don't think i could donate a kidney to a stranger, but to save a family member, yes, i think i could.

As for when i'm dead, they can take any organ they want, not like i need them any more.

November 22, 2007, 11:06 PM

Out of pure spite, I'd like to donate some of my blood.

I'm Diabetic, so I'm pretty much banned from doing that. xD
I really don't mind the idea of donating organs. If it can save a life, then fair enough, take it by all means. Or if it will go towards key medical research, again take it. What I don't like is alcoholics and the like who destroy their organs, and then get replacements.
On UK driving license application forms, there's a box to tick for being an organ donor, but I can't remember if I ticked it or not.

November 23, 2007, 4:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess Aighurhmnw

Ooh i don't know.. I don't think I could like, give a kidney or something whilst I am still alive, hell I couldn't even give blood! I would like to, but I am far far far too squeamish and absolutely terrified of needles and blood and can't even talk about it without getting freaked out. As for donating my organs once I'm dead.. I don't know either, I would like to as it saves someones life, and what do i need them for?

Me too, I hate the fact of a needle being injected into my vain. O_O I cannot stand the site needles and blood. I rather donate organs when I'm dead. I won't need them. *shrugs* Could go to medical use.

I know it's selfish, but the only person I would donate an extra organ to are my parents.

November 23, 2007, 11:54 AM

That's not selfish at all, Cerridwen. Family first, right? Heck, if there was a stranger who needed a kidney versus one of my family members, I'd definitely pick my family member first. That's why I think it's also a good idea to wait it out until one of your family members is suddenly in dire need of one.

I just think that to those people who donates a part of themselves to a total stranger is really something else. But if that were to happen to me, I'd rather not meet who would be donating his or her organs to me because it would be extremely awkward, and I probably would not accept the organs in the end. However, to some people, meeting those who'd be donating their organs to them is somewhat helpful and sentimental.

I just wouldn't be able to go through with it. I know my friend met the person who wanted to donate one of his organs to him. A thirteen-year-old kid. My friend didn't accept in the end...it's a feeling that he would understand better than I. They did become friends though and he took the kid out fishing weeks later. I'm not sure if the kid is still living now...