Yes, pay it forward....

We always think about the big organs, but even a cornea is so needed. I work with a young man who got a transplant last year. It has really changed his life. Not only can he see now, but he looks so much better, as whatever happened to his eye left it white and cloudy looking.

He is exremely grateful to the person and family that made the transplant possible.

Thanks for the story,,My mother died suddenly during surgery and much to our surprise she had donated her body to science,,,at that time me, my brother and 4 sisters talked about our donations,,,all of us,,not knowing the others thoughts,, had already declared our donations in writing,,,we are a generous family,,its only fitting for us to do so.

Good point Cinderella! That's the one donation that I DO do. Every 58 days the Red Cross gets a pint of my blood. Since we've been in recovery, my wife and I donate blood together. How's that for some "personal time" and "recreation" that we can do together!! It's a fun "race" to see who fills their collection bag first!

Blood is desperately needed for MANY things, from ER to Surgery, and you are right, if more people would even donate one pint a YEAR it would do wonders for the blood supply.

LM,
Thank you for what you do and also for your straight forward posts.

I've been an organ donor for years, my W is too. It's easy everyone, I had two strangers sign as witnesses at the DMV when I signed up. Didn't need family members or a lawyer or anyone special.

I am good friends with a family whose 8 mo old daughter had a heart transplant in Boston. She's 5 now and doing well thus far God Bless.

FH - You're right on blood donation needed too!

V/r,
NW

I wondered what you had experienced because my experience with having a child killed has completely changed my outlook about organ donation. I could not have donated my son's organs because of the extreme grief and I won't apologize for that. This experience made me realize that I need to consider the feelings of my survivors since they are the ones who will have to deal with it, not me. It was an eye opening experience for sure. It always sounded good on paper, but when the reality of having it done arrived, it was very different.

From Penalty Kill

Been a donor since I could drive; donated blood, and I'm on the registry for marrow donors. Daughter's listed as a donor on her license as well.

I always figured that I'm not going to need my organs wherever I'm going. I'm 45, but there's probably still some good stuff left...

Please note on Bugs thread, the loss of her Nephew.

She noted that several organs were donated.

The number of people that can be helped by donating organs can be very wide.

"Pay it Forward" No, it's not macabre. It's helping.

Whatever they can use, they can have.

(((MEL)))

For the loss of your son.

I understand your reasons and the difficulty of making a decision at that most terrible time.

The most important part? Deciding beforehand, and letting Children, Spouse, Parents, Good Friends, etc, that you are an Organ Doner.

When my Father died, he had a brain aneryesm (sp?). He was brain dead. THe doctors asked about donating, and we agreed to whatever was available. But due to years and years of drinking, much was ruined. And procedures performed overnight did some damage as well. But, someone benefitted from what they were able to use. I see that as the only good thing that came from it.

A good friend of mine recieved the donated heart of a 19 year old. For 10 years he lived with that heart. And formed a relationship with the family of the young man who died that exists with his W even after he passed away.

All MB'ers:

Please check box your drivers license. If you are afraid, ask questions.

LG

We just had the disappointment of finding out that my husband's brother could not give him a kidney, despite his willingness to do so. Only one out of six components for the tissue typing was compatible, not good enough for a living donor.

We are a family who need this gift. Thank you for bringing this topic up. TT

((((TT))))

And Believer is genuinely keeping a kidney warm for you. I know she means it. She's a wonderful, caring, warm woman.

((((B)))) you're the best.

TT, I sent you an email.

I am blessed with two of the healthiest children around. For that I am grateful.

I did go to college with Mac and Polly. They had three children. Their daughter was killed in a traffic accident when she was struck by a vehicle while waiting for her schoolbus. They donated many of her organs along with some bone and other tissues. It was quite a series of articles in our local paper. They went very public with it because they understood the potential for helping others with overcoming the fear of donation and they wanted some good to come of this young child's short life.

(((Mel))) I am sorry about your loss. I know you made the best decisions you could at the time. For that, you must feel no regret. All we can do is all we can do.