Saturday
Nov072009
Share your kidneys!
Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 01:43PM
With my birthday coming up soon, I had to renew my license plates, and it just so happens that my license was expiring this year too. So I paid a visit to the Secretary of State last week. These experiences are usually pretty dreadful - long lines, disgruntled employees, smelly people - but other than the fact that my new phone was beeping while I rolled my eyes at the nerve of some people for a good five minutes before realizing it was me causing all the ruckus, my SOS experience really wasn't so bad.
The wait was tolerable, and besides I had Kurt Vonnegut's Bluebeard to keep me company. The people didn't smell too awful, and the employee who helped me was very kind. She complimented my necklace and asked the significance of it (it's the one seen here, a gift from Robin for helping out at her wedding). She also took a second picture of me for my license when I cringed at the first.
But really, the point of my story is a conversation we had about organ donation. In the middle of signing things and filling out paperwork, I asked what I needed to do to become an organ donor. She paused, looked at me and said, "Thank you for asking about that. I don't even bother asking people anymore because so many say no." When she saw my surprise, she added that if she had to guess, she'd say only about 1 in 10 people said yes to being an organ donor when she'd ask. Some said no for religious reasons, but some just didn't feel like it. Maybe they misunderstood. Perhaps they thought if they said yes someone was going to slice them open on the spot? Because otherwise why wouldn't you? I'm sure there are very valid reasons, but only 1 in 10 people? That's depressing.
I think if you're not an organ donor and you don't have a good reason not to be, then you shouldn't get any organ transplants when you need them. Give the kidneys to the people who care, I say!
The wait was tolerable, and besides I had Kurt Vonnegut's Bluebeard to keep me company. The people didn't smell too awful, and the employee who helped me was very kind. She complimented my necklace and asked the significance of it (it's the one seen here, a gift from Robin for helping out at her wedding). She also took a second picture of me for my license when I cringed at the first.
But really, the point of my story is a conversation we had about organ donation. In the middle of signing things and filling out paperwork, I asked what I needed to do to become an organ donor. She paused, looked at me and said, "Thank you for asking about that. I don't even bother asking people anymore because so many say no." When she saw my surprise, she added that if she had to guess, she'd say only about 1 in 10 people said yes to being an organ donor when she'd ask. Some said no for religious reasons, but some just didn't feel like it. Maybe they misunderstood. Perhaps they thought if they said yes someone was going to slice them open on the spot? Because otherwise why wouldn't you? I'm sure there are very valid reasons, but only 1 in 10 people? That's depressing.
I think if you're not an organ donor and you don't have a good reason not to be, then you shouldn't get any organ transplants when you need them. Give the kidneys to the people who care, I say!
Reader Comments (10)
I also recently said yes (I was asked) upon getting a new Illinois license. Strange.
If you want to donate your organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs, please join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has over 13,000 members, including members in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
About 50% of the organs transplanted in America go to people who haven't agreed to donate their own organs when they die. As long as we let non-donors jump to the front of the waiting list if they need a transplant we'll always have an organ shortage. Over 8,000 Americans die every year because there aren't enough organs for everyone who needs one, and every year 20,000 transplantable organs that could have been donated are buried or cremated instead.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
I think in my state you're automatically a donor unless you opt out. Or maybe I'm imagining that.
This is slightly more hard core, but you can also sign up to be a bone marrow donor. You give a cell sample (cheek Q-tip deal) which is stored in a database and if someone in need of a transplant "matches," you get called for the fairly simple procedure. I registered last year. Check this out: http://www.marrow.org/DONOR/Joining/index.html.
Every time I tell them I want to be an organ donor, and every time they get it wrong. What I hear (at least about State of MN) is that it very nearly doesn't matter because they'll ask your next of kin before they check (or follow the directions on) your license. And that's wrong too! What if your kin aren't comfortable with the idea of you being harvested? A lot of people aren't. I say, if I can't be on the earth any longer, slice me open and take what you can. No reason other people have to suffer just 'cos I died!
It seems like this kind of defeats the purpose, and is wrong in a way. Saying "Yeah I'm an organ donor, but only to OTHER organ donors" doesn't seem right. It's about saving a life, not saving a certain type of life.
I agree. I was being pretty sarcastic when I said give the kidneys to those who care. :) I mean it sucks that more people don't donate, but I wouldn't want to put restrictions on where my organs go like that.
Brad: LifeSharers members don't give their organs only to other organ donors. We give them FIRST to other organ donors, and then to everyone else if there's no suitable match.
The primary purpose of our organ donation system should be to save as many lives as possible. Giving organs first to organ donors increases the supply of organs, which saves more lives.
www.LifeSharers.org. It's free. It could save your life.
(clicking reply below the comment you want to reply to keeps things more organized...)
I don't buy it. You're relying on membership in Lifesharers as being a determinate of who will get an organ first. I don't think that's right. I don't know how "the list" is organized, but Lifesharers still seems elitist to me. I am glad that there is a group promoting organ donation, but I think giving to them first is not the best way to do things.
LifeSharers is not "elitist". It's the exact opposite of that. Everyone can join, and it's free.
The organ donation system is broken. More than half of the people who need organs die before they get one! Giving organs first to organ donors will motivate more people to donate, and that will save more lives.
First - I am in love with your necklace. If you lived near me, I would honestly STEAL it from you! Although I don't know how I'd get away with it... it's pretty distinct.
Second - I've been an organ donor since I got my license. I respect the "religious reasons" (despite being a heathen) but otherwise, what's the deal? Its not like you're going to need your organs when you croak.