On Organ Donation

[Princess Fiona]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Wonder whether his organs were donated or not....

I think nearly all the medics like us are.
On the surface these patients are often suitable for organ donation but sadly only about half of those patients end up being multi-organ donors for a variety of reasons.
I have made sure that my family know my wishes to be an organ donor in the event of my death and I wouldn't hesitate if asked for consent on behalf of a family member.

 

[QF WP]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I have my Australian Organ Donor Register card in my wallet, so hope they'd find it (if I couldn't tell them). Similarly, my family is well aware of my request.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I think that was the most gut wrenching part of the service. The physical and emotional toll would have been enormous.

Absolutely, it felt very wrong to be watching that on TV.
I think for me (has already been mentioned by kpc) I'm a little surprised that there has been no mention of organ donation. Maybe it did happen but the family have chosen to keep it private.
I don't mean to appear insensitive and apologise in advance to those that find this difficult. I personally believe wholeheartedly that we need to get over our fears and anxieties about this and cannot have too many conversations about it before it's too late to do anything about it.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I'm a little surprised that there has been no mention of organ donation. Maybe it did happen but the family have chosen to keep it private.
I don't mean to appear insensitive and apologise in advance to those that find this difficult. I personally believe wholeheartedly that we need to get over our fears and anxieties about this and cannot have too many conversations about it before it's too late to do anything about it.

I understand where you're coming from, but when things happen so suddenly it can be difficult. We lost a daughter, and were just incapable of thinking about anything along those lines at the time.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Absolutely, it felt very wrong to be watching that on TV.
I think for me (has already been mentioned by kpc) I'm a little surprised that there has been no mention of organ donation. Maybe it did happen but the family have chosen to keep it private.

I agree Princess Fiona, I am only hoping there was some organ donation, but the family is waiting for an appropriate time in the New Year to announce it. And if so I really hope the organ donation people can really create a lasting campaign from this.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I understand where you're coming from, but when things happen so suddenly it can be difficult. We lost a daughter, and were just incapable of thinking about anything along those lines at the time.

I totally understand, although I haven't faced this decision myself.
That's why I think it's so important that we as a nation come to think of organ donation as a totally natural thing in the event of the death of a loved one rather than being something that we are asked about at a time of great sorrow.

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I totally understand, although I haven't faced this decision myself.
That's why I think it's so important that we as a nation come to think of organ donation as a totally natural thing in the event of the death of a loved one rather than being something that we are asked about at a time of great sorrow.

I completely agree as to the importance of discussion, debate, and awareness.

My own father had his life improved to the tune of around 17 years and five grandchildren by an organ transplant.

But even going into it with that background, zero religious baggage, and comparatively minimal cultural impediments, we just couldn't get our collective head around it given the processes that were in place at the time.

And I would completely understand if other parents struggled to make decisions under similar circumstances.

 

[Hvr]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I agree Princess Fiona, I am only hoping there was some organ donation, but the family is waiting for an appropriate time in the New Year to announce it. And if so I really hope the organ donation people can really create a lasting campaign from this.

I too hope that organ donation was considered and if practical was performed.

But I also know that in my family we have discussed organ donation and all agreed that if practical then it will be done. But, once done I don't want to know anything else. Not what was taken, how many people received organs etc, nothing.

Maybe the Hughes family are the same? Anyway they have to publicly cope with the loss of their son/brother et al and once the day of the funeral is over as it nearly is, then surely it will get harder for awhile before being able to cope and move on in life.

 

[artemis]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Absolutely, it felt very wrong to be watching that on TV.
I think for me (has already been mentioned by kpc) I'm a little surprised that there has been no mention of organ donation. Maybe it did happen but the family have chosen to keep it private.
I don't mean to appear insensitive and apologise in advance to those that find this difficult. I personally believe wholeheartedly that we need to get over our fears and anxieties about this and cannot have too many conversations about it before it's too late to do anything about it.

I wondered about organ donation too - especially with the (superficial) parallels of the high-profile donation case of David Hookes. I'm hoping that there was a donation but it was kept quiet so as to provide some space for the family, but also to maintain anonymity of the donor to the intended recipients.

Whilst all donations are an amazing gift, there have been some spectacularly humbling circumstances of organ donation that I've been involved in and I take my hat off to the families who make this generous decision in the middle of their abject grief, as well as the staff who support families through the process regardless of the outcome (donation proceeding or not).

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Absolutely, it felt very wrong to be watching that on TV.
I think for me (has already been mentioned by kpc) I'm a little surprised that there has been no mention of organ donation. Maybe it did happen but the family have chosen to keep it private.
I don't mean to appear insensitive and apologise in advance to those that find this difficult. I personally believe wholeheartedly that we need to get over our fears and anxieties about this and cannot have too many conversations about it before it's too late to do anything about it.

I did some paperwork re organ donation years ago but confess I have no idea where my card is or how anyone would know. Time to chase it up. My old mum on the other hand has decided to donate her body to science/research. This is admirable, but the thought of students slicing her up is a difficult one for me to embrace (I guess they need to learn somehow). However, what she wants is what she will have, I respect her wishes. My cousin, who died recently just shy of his 60th, also donated his body to science/research. Contemplating it myself but a difficult thing to come to terms with. I so wish everyone at least donated their organs.

 

[QF WP]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I did some paperwork re organ donation years ago but confess I have no idea where my card is or how anyone would know. Time to chase it up. My old mum on the other hand has decided to donate her body to science/research. This is admirable, but the thought of students slicing her up is a difficult one for me to embrace (I guess they need to learn somehow). However, what she wants is what she will have, I respect her wishes. My cousin, who died recently just shy of his 60th, also donated his body to science/research. Contemplating it myself but a difficult thing to come to terms with. I so wish everyone at least donated their organs.

My aunt who died recently, similarly donated her body to UQ for scientific research. Whilst not something I would do, I understand others have a desire to further research.

 

[blackcat20]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

My aunt who died recently, similarly donated her body to UQ for scientific research. Whilst not something I would do, I understand others have a desire to further research.

Doctors have to start somewhere...
though a scientist myself, I won't be donating my body to research.

 

[OATEK]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I totally understand, although I haven't faced this decision myself.
That's why I think it's so important that we as a nation come to think of organ donation as a totally natural thing in the event of the death of a loved one rather than being something that we are asked about at a time of great sorrow.

It seems to me that for such schemes to be effective, we need to move from Opt-in to Opt-out. Same with the PCEHR, which on an Opt-in basis has been spectacularly unsuccessful in building a head of steam. It would be relatively straight-forward to provide an Opt-out mechanism, and record it in a number of places (eg PCEHR, Drivers Licence) so that family and loved-ones were not faced with making decisions when they are in shock.

 

[Pushka]

The totally off-topic thread

I don't believe in "opt out" for donation either as it impacts on those who might not understand they have to actively manage this. And I'm sick of Government legislation that interferes with personal decisions. I'm becoming somewhat anarchist as I get older.

This decision must be left up to the person prior if possible and the family during the process if not.

 

[cove]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Organ donation is the reason one of my older friends received a heart transplant when he was 68 and has a rare blood group.
Ever since the donation he spends his life in the relentless pursuit of charitable activities. It would be one of many stories of lives not getting snuffed out by the wonderful gift of organ donation.

 

[anat0l]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I guess I don't understand either side of organ donation enough to make a decision about it, apart from the fact that donated organs can be used for transplants. All said and done, I'm not exactly the healthiest male around; if there's a catalogue for organ recipients looking for donors (in a similar way to looking up sperm donors), then like hell anyone is going to want my heart, for a start.

That is why my donor status, when it was still shown and indicated on the drivers licence, was "undecided".

 

[blackcat20]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

But not necessarily with warm salty water.

I guess I don't understand either side of organ donation enough to make a decision about it, apart from the fact that donated organs can be used for transplants. All said and done, I'm not exactly the healthiest male around; if there's a catalogue for organ recipients looking for donors (in a similar way to looking up sperm donors), then like hell anyone is going to want my heart, for a start.

That is why my donor status, when it was still shown and indicated on the drivers licence, was "undecided".

I'm ok with donation, but I've specified to my mum that certain body parts are off limits. It's the only way I am comfortable with the idea.

 

[get me outta here]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I remember reading that Australia has one of / the worst organ donation rate in the 'developed world', or whatever it was. And, the reason is that those successful countries have an opt out in place.

Governments have spent millions over the past few years trying to get Australians to do it as a matter of course. I think the rate has risen a little in that time.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I guess I don't understand either side of organ donation enough to make a decision about it, apart from the fact that donated organs can be used for transplants. All said and done, I'm not exactly the healthiest male around; if there's a catalogue for organ recipients looking for donors (in a similar way to looking up sperm donors), then like hell anyone is going to want my heart, for a start.

That is why my donor status, when it was still shown and indicated on the drivers licence, was "undecided".

Actually you'd be surprised. The vast majority of young (and not so young) people have perfectly healthy organs.

The latest statistics show that only half of Australian families know what their loved ones views are on organ donation. Last year 60% of those families asked to give consent for organ donation did so. The single most important factor in giving consent is that the family knew prior to their death that their loved one was supportive of organ donation.

Even before I had any real life medical knowledge the question I asked myself was :
In the event that I or a member of my family needed an organ transplant to live is that something which I would give my consent for?
The answer for me is a resounding yes.