I read a story about a boxer Francisco Rodriguez who died recently but saved 8 people's lives because he was an organ donor. Immediately I signed up on DonateLifeTexas.org because it is an excellent cause. So it got me to thinking, what good reason do people have not to donate organs once they die? I mean, you're dead and your organs could help someone what good are they in a dead person? It is worthy and necessary and should be mandatory in my opinion. Discuss.
I think there are some religious beliefs regarding organ donation. Plus there is just the ick factor that some people have. As for me. I've told my friends and family that when I die treat my body like a hot Honda at chop shop and take whatever can be reused.
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What about kidney donation? You have a spare and I think it doesn't have to be as close a match so it shouldn't be so hard to find donors, yet most of the 80,000 people waiting won't receive one.
As an atheist who don't believe in the afterlife, I can't really come up with any legitimate reasons why I shouldn't be an organ donor. Yet, when I got my license, I picked no simply because the idea seemed really weird. So personally my reason is just irrational fear or something.
Basically I think this is it. Consider the FEAR of Government killing grandma now The Government doctor says .. . kill you and save 8 other folx . . .. or just save you Those are the kinds of fears we hear Rocket River
I know someone (ron413 is his name) that donated a kidney earlier this year here in Houston Medical Center and after 3 weeks or so of healing was out playing basketball and running around. The one remaining kidney doubles in size over year or so and takes over 100% function (when most folks have two the sized of a clinched fist that operate at 50% each).
You can thank movies and the media for this fear...it simply does not happen. It's like still being scared of the boogyman...
Kidney donation though is a major surgery with the inherent risks of major surgery. I have a friend that works for an organ donation advocacy group and even she doesn't encourage people to donate kidneys without a lot of consideration. Another problem is that there isn't a financial incentive for donating a kidney. I think its good that we don't pay for organs for a variety of reasons but if we allowed people to buy kidneys and / or other organs like we do plasma there will likely be a lot more organs available.
sorry for holding back at first, I was distracted for about hour...I was the one that donated a kidney. So I am considered a "live" donor as of earlier this year (procedure is called "laparoscopic" surgery so it was quicker healing one because less cutting of the skin & muscles). it was back in February to a good family friend that needed my exact blood type and I was a decent match with my blood tissue close to hers. Things went great, she is doing awesome so far + I am feeling real good. Playing lots of b-ball + working out... I was in significant pain for about 3 days then it was all good after that. Pain pills get you through any discomfort. Note: being in Houston we have access to some of the best doctors & facilities in the world here in Medical Center... so I was feeling great about my decision to donate every step of the way. Knew for about a half year I wanted to step up & hopefully be her donor even though final handful of test did not happen til 6 to 8 months later. Feel free to ask me any specific questions (I will try to answer even though I am normally lazy with my posting...but this is a worthy discussion so I will open up about being a "live" donor). ... overall I recommend kidney donation if you are ever put in position to step up for someone else it was a really good experience for me...
That is a great thing you did. Were there any medical costs that you or your insurace were responsible for?
Everything has been 100% covered by her insurance (including all the pre-surgery handful of visits to do the various important tests + of course all the 3 days or so at the hospital after surgery & also the 4 or so follow-up visits I have made this year to do bloodwork & visit with doctors about my kidney post-surgery progress). I think up to two years worth of follow-up recommeneded visits are 100% covered by recipient and then I just go to my PCP after that.
