Organ Donation- Part 1

“Between 10,000 and 12,000 people die annually who are considered medically suitable for organ, tissue and cornea donation, yet only a fraction of them are donors.”  This is according to CORE, the Center for Organ Recovery and Education.  Unless this touchy topic is discussed prior to a death, the lifesaving opportunity may be lost.  Why don’t people jump at the chance to save a life?  Fear, superstition and misinformation are three of the main reasons.

 All major religions support organ and tissue donation.  Medical personnel are bound by their oath to do everything in their power to save a person involved in an accident even though that individual is a donor.  Systems are in place to protect the integrity of the deceased.  Fear can be alleviated. Superstition can be explained. Misinformation can be corrected.  All it takes is a willingness to learn and then to discuss with family.

I signed up through the Department of Motor Vehicles about 15 years ago.  It just seemed like the right thing to do.  Since then, we have had personal experience with transplantation.  A cousin received a piece of cadaver bone during an orthopedic procedure.  And several friends received the gift of life with liver and kidney transplants.  It’s a beautiful thing when someone who is near death becomes the beneficiary of an organ and life begins again.

I would encourage everyone to talk with their spiritual leader about organ donation and then talk with a family member about their decision.   Families need to know what you want.  This can be part of the discussion about end of life issues or a separate discussion.  Kids or parents can bring it up.  The key word is “discussion.”  Talk about your thoughts so that those who have to make the decision will know what you want.

Resources:  www.core.org

                    www.organdonor.gov

                    www.donatelife.net

Dinner with Friends

Dinner with friends is an unusual place for a conversation about wills, etc. but that’s what happened when 2 couples with second marriages and his and hers kids got together.  And I was astonished to learn that her son did not have a will or a guardian for his kids.   I thought some of my kids were the only ones who have chosen to ignore the will and guardianship issue.  How can bright people ignore this?  Life can change in an instant and unless we, as responsible adults, take action to make our wishes known, situations can spiral out of control for survivors.  What happens if both parents die at the same time and little children become orphans?  Do the parents want grandparents to step in?  Do the parents agree that one of their siblings is in a better place to step in?  Or do the courts have to decide?   All of this can be avoided if parents of young children take the responsibility to select a guardian.  We are not invincible teenagers, we are mortal men and women.  Things happen.  Plans must be made; they can always be changed in the future.  My predicament is, can I change other people's behavior. 

Thoughts????

Photo: Romain Matte