I personally believe in being an organ & tissue donor. I've carried a donor card with me for the past 24yrs. Much to the dismay of my family, this is my choice.
Organ & tissue donation is a very personal choice and not one to be decided without taking time to look at all the options, facts, opinions, and for some, the wishes of their family members.
When I first signed my organ & tissue donor card on my driver's license my father tried to have the card voided. He didn't believe at 16yrs old I was capable of such a decision. Well he didn't succeed in his quest to change my choice, but after listening to why I wanted to be an organ & tissue donor he sat across the table from me and cried (which was something my father never did). I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you all what I told him:
At 14yrs old I was diagnosised with throat cancer, I almosted died when I had a simple tonsillectomy preformed, when they discovered the cancer "mass" behind my tonsils. In removing the mass they cut an artery. After spending 2wks in the hospital and going on to treatments and such afterwards I learned a lot about cancer and about the studies going on to find a cure.
One of my doctors in particular talked to me about the why there was no "cure". He told me that even though numerous scientist and doctors were doing all kinds of tests and experiments they didn't have the ability to do tests on actual human tissue or organs. People weren't too hyped on allowing organ and tissue donations on their recently departed loved ones.
Since that day all those years ago I've gone through numerous operations and bouts with cancer, and so far I've been very fortunate to go back into remission each time, but that was the day I decided that I wanted to do something to help. Hopefully one day, through research and the advances in modern medicine they will find a cure, but until that day there are so many people out there suffering and dying in vain. I believe in God and I believe in my soul, but I don't need to take my mortal body to a grave when perhaps so many could be helped with donating the tissue and whatever remaining organs I may have the day God calls me home.
Written by: Nettie, Windy's Soul Sister in PA.
This site has very good information and also has links that are very informative and in all generalized areas pertaining to organ donation. There is a whole page dedicated to "frequently asked questions" as well as "Critical Data".
You can also get in touch with your state government offices on the subject of donation. Some states have a statewide donor lists that you can add your name to if you wish.
A lot of people think about being an organ donor, and perhaps put it off for another time, or they get too busy to remember. The fastest way in the world to ever wish you had done something is when it affects you, your family, or someone very close or special to you. That's when most people wish "others" would do something and that's when most people remember or aren't too busy, and do what they thought about previously. Sometimes though, that's when it's too late.
Why not take the time to give some careful and thorough consideration to becoming an organ and/or tissue donor today?
Other informative sites are:
United Network For Organ Sharing
Coalition on Donation
Transplantation and Donation
DNAL Organ Donor Information
HCMC - Cadaver Donor Information
