Saturday, 17 October 2009

• Organ Donor Myths

  

  When I wrote my apparent second blog on organ donation (the one from a year or so ago I completely forgot about) I never expected it to end up in a controversy. I had been talking with Misty for some time and knew her story. To put it bluntly, without someone's unselfish gift, Misty would not be here today bringing joy to many of us on xanga.

  Misty brought it to my attention that she wanted to do something similar to Dan's "Save the Boobs" campaign only with organ donation as the focus. I thought it was a great idea and jumped in with both feet trying to help in any way that I could. I have written a few blogs about the importance of organ donation as has she.

  I have never been more surprised at some of the responses that we have received between the two of us and the different blogs. It was decided that another blog was in order to perhaps debunk some of the erroneous thoughts people have about organ donation. I realize that some people simply don't want to donate their organs and while I don't understand it, I respect their right to make that decision. What I am attempting to do with this blog is to clear up some of the misconceptions that have been mentioned over the past few days.

  I am in no way an expert on organ donation. I have had a family member receive a kidney from another family member and that pretty much sums up my personal experience. However, it took me less than five minutes to find the documentation that dispelled many of the reasons that I had heard for not being an organ donor.

  Myth 1: The donor family is left with a huge hospital bill following the harvesting of the organs.

  I read over many sites and each one stated that this was simply not the case. I will provide links at the end of this post. What I did learn is that some people do not realize that the costs incurred PRIOR to giving consent to organ donation is indeed a charge that your family will incur. What this means is; any life saving measures that were being done will remain the responsibility of the family. Upon realizing that there is nothing more that can be done and the family grants consent to harvest the organs the charges are no longer the families concern. Often times there is a period of time that the patient is kept alive by machines to ensure that the organs can be harvested. This is NOT something the donor's family is billed for.

  Myth 2: If doctors realize I am an organ donor, they will not do everything possible to save me.

  Really people? Now, I will fully admit that I have run into my share of doctors that are idiots, but not a single one of them would allow someone to die simply because they were an organ donor. Can someone please explain to me how exactly the doctor that is working to save your life is going to find that extra five minutes to see your drivers license and note that you have an organ sticker on it? I have been in emergency situations with family members. I can promise you that the doctors and nurses are not taking the time to go through your clothes to find out who you are or if you are a donor. When my step father was brought in after he collapsed at his home, a hospital representative came to US to get the necessary personal information so that they could admit him. My ex husband is a first responder and I questioned him about protocol. According to him, their job is to get the person stable enough for transport. If it is a situation such as a car accident, they worry about getting the people out of the car and into the ambulance. It is the job of the officers on the scene to find out identity and such. Unlike the medical shows we watch on television, the officers are not rushing to the hospital to give the identification to the doctors. They are seeking out the family members so that they can be there with their loved ones. As a side note, my step father passed away that night in the hospital. During the almost four hours they worked on him we were never once asked about organ donation. In spite of what many believe, doctors are not simply standing around waiting to harvest your organs.

  Myth 3: Organ donation disfigures the body and an open casket is no longer an option.

  This is probably the one myth that actually makes a little sense to me. The fact is that the organs are removed surgically and there is no changes made to the outer body. An open casket is most assuredly an option if that is what the family desires.

  There are actually a few more myths that were listed on the links that I read. These three were the ones that I have seen most often during these discussions and that is why I focused on them. While I am smart enough to realize that some people are simply not going to change their minds regarding organ donation, my sincere hope is that at the least I have people talking. If you are talking then others are hearing about organ donation. If they are hearing perhaps they will take the time to seek out their own information. With that information there is hope that a few will decide that organ donation makes sense for them.

  Organ donation makes sense for me. I want my children to understand that there are selfless gifts in life and this is one of them. I will be gone from this earth, but I will leave a few pieces of me so that others can continue on their journey. I can't think of a better way to leave my mark on this world.

  Links:

  http://www.unos.org/News/myths.asp

  http://www.donatelifeny.org/organ/o_myth.html

  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077

   

  • 5:32 PM
  • 683 Views
  • 30 eProps
  • 15 Comments