Organ donation - can't say it enough

[Frank the Tank]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2...27627-sun.html

With some of the lowest donation rates in the world in Canada, its nice to see a positive story once in a while. Amazing that even an infant can be saved via transplant.

So.....just let your intentions be known to your family in case you kick it unexpectadly one day. And sign your donor cards or whatever you have to do in Alberta to state you want to donate.

[Incinerator]

Just make sure to exclude your liver if you're hanging out at the pub all the time

[ken0042]

And if you have issues with not having something for your family to burry, then do what I did- I have specified on my Alberta Health card that I wish to donate internal organs only.

[Bobblehead]

My wife and I both agree - when we pass we will donate any organs requested and cremate the rest. My wife actually wants her ashes to be made into a diamond.

[RW99]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

My wife and I both agree - when we pass we will donate any organs requested and cremate the rest. My wife actually wants her ashes to be made into a diamond.

Same here... minus the diamond Though I actually don't know what do do with my ashes yet. Maybe slingshot into space or something

[Prototype]

If I were younger... and not married... my post would have gone something like this...

I have an organ I can donate... to the ladies

[rubecube]

Anyone suddenly flashing back to that Monty Python sketch?

[jroc]

Originally Posted by Prottotype

I have an organ I can donate... to the ladies

You have Ovary's??? am i the only one that thinks this is wierd??

[metallicat]

An NDP idea last year is something I think is a decent idea, but it has its problems.

Presumed consent - http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/...ion060216.html

Basically you have to opt OUT of organ donation, rather than opting IN by signing your donor card...etc.

[ben voyonsdonc]

I agree with the idea of presumed consent with exceptions of course: 1) the mentally handicapped and mentally ill, 2) people who are younger than 18.

I think that presumed consent will put the onus on those who are dead set (pardon the pun) against organ donation rather than those who are for organ donation. I think that if you did a poll, the vast majority of Canadians would be willing to donate their organs but it is clear that not everybody who agrees with organ donation actually signs their card. Why? Because people don't want to think about their own death or maybe they aren't really passionate about organ donation. I am pretty sure that those who are against the idea of donating their organs will be very quick to sign their cards...

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Prottotype

I have an organ I can donate... to the ladies

I think they like to use ones that don't already have a history of rejection.

[mykalberta]

Why not offer a cash incentive for organs for those who have the cards signed - that way their loved ones can pay for the burial with those proceeds?

Presumed conscent is to tantamount to saying the govenment owns your remains. The governement doesnt own my remains and they should keep their grubby hands to themselves. If I choose to decide to sign the card I will, if not I wont and its MY CHOICE and it should stay that way.

MYK

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why not offer a cash incentive for organs for those who have the cards signed - that way their loved ones can pay for the burial with those proceeds?

Presumed conscent is to tantamount to saying the govenment owns your remains. The governement doesnt own my remains and they should keep their grubby hands to themselves. If I choose to decide to sign the card I will, if not I wont and its MY CHOICE and it should stay that way.

MYK

I agree with that in principle, but for many it will just become a buy and sell network.

Nice thread Tank, good to remind everyone of how important it is, and how easy it is.

IF anyone wants my mutated three valved heart they are open to it. Pretty sure my liver is close to cirrosis... Uhhhmmmm, lungs bad, because of the heart, kidneys probably on borrowed time, I guess that leaves a few left...

But for anyone who doesn't suffer from advanced heart failure go to it. And I can probably scoop out my pancreas or something. They can have whatever they want, I dont need it, not sure I use all of it now...! In all seriousness, it's very serious. Good article Tank.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why not offer a cash incentive for organs for those who have the cards signed - that way their loved ones can pay for the burial with those proceeds?

Presumed conscent is to tantamount to saying the govenment owns your remains. The governement doesnt own my remains and they should keep their grubby hands to themselves. If I choose to decide to sign the card I will, if not I wont and its MY CHOICE and it should stay that way.

MYK

I don't agree with the monetary reward because that just brings up so many bad possibilities it isn't even funny.

The presumed consent doesn't bother me, but I am very experienced with organ donation and the process, but I do see your point. I think the government should focus more on education, even in the school system, instead of pulling the "presumed consent" stunt.

[ken0042]

The other thing with monetary compensation- it may cause people to make decisions with their loved ones that are contrary to their wishes. For example my wishes are for any parts of me that can be made to be "alive" again- I am for that. However I want the dead parts of me put to rest. I wouldn't want somebody deciding to donate my entire body to science because it means extra money.

My own family is in a position where it would never come to that, but what about others.

Also, what if somebody (ie next of kin) is on the fence about organ donation, and doesn't want to be seen as a gold digger? They may choose not to donate.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

I don't agree with the monetary reward because that just brings up so many bad possibilities it isn't even funny.

The presumed consent doesn't bother me, but I am very experienced with organ donation and the process, but I do see your point. I think the government should focus more on education, even in the school system, instead of pulling the "presumed consent" stunt.

I dont see what would be wrong for financially compensating those who signed their organ donation cards. Its possible my grandma would still be alive had that happen but she has to live (now die) with the consequences of her smoking.

Health Canada would still handle the organ acceptance etc. I would see a problem if Health Canada paid for organs from living people but people who have died who signed their cards - I dont see what the issues could be (its not like someone would kill you for the organ donation money - would they?)

Is there currently any age limit to organ donation acceptance? Can a 72 year old in good health get a liver from say a 17yo? That is something I think we should be looking into.

MYK

[Titan]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I think they like to use ones that don't already have a history of rejection.

That is why they use anti-rejection medications. In this case Tequila.

[troutman]

Understanding Personal Directives:

http://www.seniors.gov.ab.ca/service...0778533158.pdf


Links to information pertaining to organ donation

http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/al...nks_donate.htm