Save a Life. Do it now.

Again, I could be wrong on that. We also donate our blood. You get paid for yours don't you, or used to anyways. And just what the hell is Apheresis? At one time Stuke I thought that I would like to meet you but now I might get something that may make one of my more prized digits fall off.:jaw:

 

Yes. I heard something about that when I donated the bone marrow. I think that is how they harvest the platelets that a recipient of a bone marrow donation requires lots of. I should do the same, but they don't have such a facility where I live. Nearest is theCanadian Blood Services Center in Vancouver, some 60 miles away.

So what you are saying, if the opportunity presents itself, I can still talk to you? Phew.

 

Having worked in several ERs in 2 states, I would have to respectfully disagree with the statement that organ donors are let go faster. In all of the dozens of deaths that I have witnessed not once was the question of donation brought up BEFORE the patient passed. That was something that was discussed with the family AFTER they had been notified. Regardless of age or circumstances.

I donate blood, sweat, and tears regularly. I am a nurse.

 

Thanks for that organ donor link Reg. I've already signed up thru my drivers license, but that never seemed very officail. I signed up again via the online registration.

 

Goes back to thread 21 and before. Non the less. I am not always successful a humour.:frown:

 

Like I said before, come in outa that water. Its turning your mind into mush.

Young farts

 

I have heard that argument before. However, think about this.

If a doctor can let someone who would likely survive die for the sake of "harvesting" organs, that doctor has complete disregard for life and would no more likely care to save anyone else at your expense; a doctor who would let you die has no motivation to let others live.

An ER doctor doesn't know you or any potential benefactors of your organ donation (well, I suppose if he did know you, you best have made a good impression on him beforehand :biggrin: ); from what does he have a basis to form an opinion of who deserves to live most? What's more, I don't think any doctor has the conscience to make such a decision, even if they are numb to the emotional trauma they experience on a day to day experience.

 

Again, I call BS. If there are studies, cite your sources. Never once have I heard a doctor say, "nurse, check his wallet for a donor card, I'm feeling lazy today."
Or, "oh, he's a donor? Call the harvest team, I'm not wasting my time."

 

Blood and Organ donation is not for everyone. If someone chooses not to, we should just accept that. He/she may have reasons not to, that by disclosing the reason, may cause embarrassment. Others do not for religious reasons, (BTW I have a real hard time with that one, a discussion that probably does not belong on this site). None the less, this is their decision. Those who I am appealing to are those who are in support of this practice, but may be procrastinators. I readily admit, I was, and to some degree, still am.

If someone has a fear that his survival of a serious ailment or injury may be jeopardized by being known as a donor, due to perceived less than professional practices by our medical professionals, then I seriously doubt anything I can say will change that so I will accept this and move on to work on those whom I may get to support my idea here. Those people may wish to support the Canadian Blood Services or American Red Cross financially or with volunteer time. They need both.

Organ donation is a very personal thing. I really hope that the vast majority of the people out there look at it the same way I do, and I think they do. We just need to get them to react. If anyone out there finds themselves in the position of being asked to donate bone marrow, and are fearful of the process, then PM me. I will speak to them on the phone to put their fears in check. I have been through the process so they will benefit from hearing first hand.

Please help. Carry the torch to your friends and family. For the sake of those in need, please do what you can, little or grand as it may be.

 

They stopped doing them as stickers now and are actually printed on the license. No changing your mind by peeling it off anymore, now that's commitment!

 

I'm right there with reg and drewl... having been a paramedic now for going on 12 years with about 6 of those as a flight paramedic never have I heard mention of organ donation until all efforts have been thoroughly exhausted.

As wonderful as organ and tissue donation is, the feeling of resuscitating a person that would have otherwise died had it not been for your efforts is also a great feeling.

I used to donate blood as often as I could but for some reason have not in some time. I will have to change that.

Quick story.... My wife works for a womens healthcare company as the assistant to the CEO and really got excited about organizing a blood drive for their office that ultimately ended up absorbing the entire building. She had loads of people signed up and was stoked to have organized this and to donate blood herself. A couple of days prior to the blood drive she was in contact with a woman from the blood bank and got the do's and dont's list if you will, and noticed the clause about being born in the U.K. during a certain time period and not being eligible. Apparently this was during a time of potential exposure to mad cow disease. She just so happened to fall into that category. She was so upset that she was not able to donate herself. She ended up just helping out with handing out snacks and juice but still really wanted to donate.

She just looked back at it and saw how many people did donate and it was because of her efforts. Cheers...Jeff

 

Maybe soon she will be able to donate there in the USA. I have never heard of that and as you know, we had Mad Cow issues here in Canada as well. Should your wife have a similar organizational opportunity again, she may want to bring on board the National Marrow Donor Program as well. I am sure if most people are aware of it, they would sign on.

Your wife deserves praise form all of us for her efforts. Give her a big :hug: for me.

 

I find the best thing to do is book in the next donation while you a doing one. It just becomes a habit then it is in the diary and it becomes just like another meeting or appointment. That is no big deal. Get out there the vampires want to suck your blood.