Organ donation...

GlosBlue · October 10, 2016

Just wondered how many on here are registered for this? I watched a thing on local BBC channel about a 9 year old born with half a heart and was on the organ waiting list. Sadly the number of child donors is so few that he ended up passing away. Made me feel so sad and signed up straight away. Just thought I'd try to raise awareness.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...ho-inspired-millions-with-children-in-need-a/

If you are interested further...

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Thanks

Naisy'sCharitableLeanings · October 10, 2016

GlosBlue said:
Just wondered how many on here are registered for this? I watched a thing on local BBC channel about a 9 year old born with half a heart and was on the organ waiting list. Sadly the number of child donors is so few that he ended up passing away. Made me feel so sad and signed up straight away. Just thought I'd try to raise awareness.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...ho-inspired-millions-with-children-in-need-a/

If you are interested further...

https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Thanks

I carry a card. Does that still count or do you have to register online now? I'm happy for them to use whatever they can when I don't need it any more, but don't think I could go as far as the living donors who give up kidneys, portions of their liver, etc, while still alive.

TheBlueGibbon · October 10, 2016

Naisy'sCharitableLeanings said:
I carry a card. Does that still count or do you have to register online now? I'm happy for them to use whatever they can when I don't need it any more, but don't think I could go as far as the living donors who give up kidneys, portions of their liver, etc, while still alive.

I registered a few months back when I changed the address on my driving licence and got sent the card, so it must still be used.

GlosBlue · October 10, 2016

Naisy'sCharitableLeanings said:
I carry a card. Does that still count or do you have to register online now? I'm happy for them to use whatever they can when I don't need it any more, but don't think I could go as far as the living donors who give up kidneys, portions of their liver, etc, while still alive.

I think I'm with you on that unless it was a relative or friend and I was a match. I've donated blood and platelets but not sure I could donate an organ whilst still alive.

Naisy'sCharitableLeanings · October 10, 2016

GlosBlue said:
I think I'm with you on that unless it was a relative or friend and I was a match. I've donated blood and platelets but not sure I could donate an organ whilst still alive.

Yeah, same as you there. Mind you, until about a year ago, a number of my organs would have been politely refused! Living much cleaner nowadays.

roydo · October 10, 2016

I am. When I renewed my road tax or something, there was a dead easy link to reach.

So that probably means my liver is now owned by some bloke in Nigeria now.

Frankly, he is welcome to it.

MrPerfectNot · October 10, 2016

I've donated bone marrow through a match. My liver shouldn't be a problem (as they only take a portion of it and it re-grows) as long as the recipient likes the taste of peat....from a bottle.

MrPerfectNot · October 10, 2016

More seriously - for those in the US, you can usually sign up when renewing your driver's license and it will be marked on your license.

GueyeBhoy · October 10, 2016

Can't see why organ donation isn't compulsory with an opt out.
Who cares when your dead, at least the bits you leave behind might be useful to someone, surely 'family' can see that's a much better outcome, at least somebody benefits.

GlosBlue · October 10, 2016

GueyeBhoy said:
Can't see why organ donation isn't compulsory with an opt out.
Who cares when your dead, at least the bits you leave behind might be useful to someone, surely 'family' can see that's a much better outcome, at least somebody benefits.

I said this. Like the work pension scheme. It makes more sense for it to be that way to me.

GlosBlue · October 10, 2016

MrPerfectNot said:
I've donated bone marrow through a match. My liver shouldn't be a problem (as they only take a portion of it and it re-grows) as long as the recipient likes the taste of peat....from a bottle.

Always wondered about bone marrow donation. It's that painful? Not sure I could do that?

roydo · October 10, 2016

GueyeBhoy said:
Can't see why organ donation isn't compulsory with an opt out.
Who cares when your dead, at least the bits you leave behind might be useful to someone, surely 'family' can see that's a much better outcome, at least somebody benefits.

Being serious, I agree. The NHS spend squillions keeping us alive, so it seems sound, to me, to let them have a pick at any bits that might be of use.

I remember a story from a while back, where a young girl had died, and her parents had allowed her to be donated. (I know, that sounds dreadful, but you get the drift).

She gave sight to 2, and her internal organs were all used to great effect.

That being said, I would never be a critic of parents of a child opting for the opposite. It is such a personal decision.

Kurt. · October 10, 2016

Can't believe we've not had the standard

" I donate my organ to chico's ma 3 times a week lad "

MrPerfectNot · October 10, 2016

GlosBlue said:
Always wondered about bone marrow donation. It's that painful? Not sure I could do that?

Two methods normally used:
(1) Surgical procedure - general anesthesia, patient is prone (on your belly), they use a little tool to drill a hole in the iliac crest on your hip (both sides) and then suck out some marrow. Recovery was pretty straightforward, just tylenol for pain, your body renegerates the marrow in a month or so.
(2) Apheresis - they pull it from your blood after you take a bunch of drugs to up your marrow / platelet production. Less invasive than surgery, but longer process and can cause some discomfort from the drugs.

I did the surgical route as I knew the general surgeon who did the procedure and it was at the hospital at which I worked.

GueyeBhoy · October 10, 2016

roydo said:
Being serious, I agree. The NHS spend squillions keeping us alive, so it seems sound, to me, to let them have a pick at any bits that might be of use.

I remember a story from a while back, where a young girl had died, and her parents had allowed her to be donated. (I know, that sounds dreadful, but you get the drift).

She gave sight to 2, and her internal organs were all used to great effect.

That being said, I would never be a critic of parents of a child opting for the opposite. It is such a personal decision.

Indeed, You're long gone so if what's left behind is of use to someone then why not.
It should be on the side of donation and helping out some other poor human being rather than the current system where you have to bother to opt for it.
Most of the time the family would actually be comforted by the help it would bring to others, half the time they wouldn't even know.
Of all the wacky things this government seems hell-bent on introducing, this would be the least controversial, and help thousands.
There's no reason not to.