Donating organs

[milehigh]

Anyone had any experience with this? Have someone in our circle of friends who is insisting on donating a kidney. Of course we all think it is a bad idea, but they seem to be determined. Is there something we don't know? Seems a radical decision to make - but I do admit I don't know enough about it.

We are correct in being so concerned and trying to talk this person out of it, aren't we?

 

[smiley1437]

Anyone had any experience with this? Have someone in our circle of friends who is insisting on donating a kidney. Of course we all think it is a bad idea, but they seem to be determined. Is there something we don't know? Seems a radical decision to make - but I do admit I don't know enough about it.

We are correct in being so concerned and trying to talk this person out of it, aren't we?

IANAMD, but:

How old is this person?

Do they have a history of making irrational decisions, or are they currently of sound mind?

Has someone (preferably an MD, and esp a transplant surgeon) clearly explained the risks and potential complications to them?

Was there some triggering event in this person's life recently?

 

[milehigh]

The person is just 30. I would say not currently of a sound mind. From what I hear, everything is being down-played by the pros to them. There was a triggering event. This is one of those people that is too nice and everyone takes advantage of them.

 

[mrsCALoki]

Anyone had any experience with this? Have someone in our circle of friends who is insisting on donating a kidney. Of course we all think it is a bad idea, but they seem to be determined. Is there something we don't know? Seems a radical decision to make - but I do admit I don't know enough about it.

We are correct in being so concerned and trying to talk this person out of it, aren't we?

This is a very complex and emotional subject.

Down side: The donor goes through life with only one kidney, no spare. BUT one kidney can handle 2 to 4 times more load than it is likely to ever have. Most diseases that attack kidneys attack both. The main risk is mechanical trauma to the kidney. That is very rare in an industrial world.

Up side: Some one will not die.

Procedural risk: extremely low.

So Mile High, if it was you or a close friend who needed it, what would you do?

All things in life are a trade off. Small risk v.s. certain death ?

What do you think?

Sign your donor card people!

 

[oldjones]

You might check the NYTimes of a few weeks ago, which detailed a chain of kidney donations from unrelated folks that extended to some thirty or so folks that needed kidneys. You have two, but only need one to function entirely normally. An accident might cost you a kidney, making the other one a life-saving spare, but nothing stops kidney disease and infection form attacking both at once, and that's much more often the case. So apart from the fact that serious surgery's involved, there's really no downside, and huge moral upside to donating.

 

[SofiaYork]

I thought this said donating orgasms... But I guess organs makes more sense


As for kidneys...
It would be quite ironic if he were to randomly donate a kidney as if it were a TSHIRT.. and then a family member, friend, child needed a transplant soon after... Oops! Remind him of this, maybe? Sign a donor card... wait for the right time to do it.
In the mean time if he feels obligated to make a difference, there are a thousand ways to make an impact on someones life without just clicking buttons/donating money. Taking proactive action towards changing lives is where its at... and you get to keep both kidneys for a rainy day.

Many ideas and smaller organizations that I am a part of or maintain that does these things. Depending on his situation and skills, there are many options for him. For example -- A mother's baby was just diagnosed with cancer. Surgery this week. People are dropping off healthy home cooked meal options for her and her family so she can focus on more important things.

 

[Boss Nass]

\Of course we all think it is a bad idea,...

Why do you think that? Your friend is willing to perform a selfless act that could save a life, how could you not admire them and give them all the support you can muster?

Or am I missing something?

 

[oil&gas]

You might check the NYTimes of a few weeks ago, which detailed a chain of kidney donations from unrelated folks that extended to some thirty or so folks that needed kidneys.
................................there's really no downside, and huge moral upside to donating.

Donating your kidney to a stranger is an act of altruism. IMO one does not
have to be altruistic to be a moral person. Kidney donation to someone
unrelated is not about morality. It is just a matter up to the decision of the
person involved.

 

[milehigh]

OK, I'm a real Newbee to this.... I will admit it concerned me very much. I thought it was somewhat risky and you faced the risk to save a relative's life (or whomever). Now I am hearing it is not so bad as I thought? You have to understand I am thinking of the person involved. Now remember I am new to all this.. and I keep thinking thoughts like this: what if after the donation, the donor gets into an accident that badly damages the remaining kidney.....or is that just a risk you weigh out?
.................... I am just really concerned about the person involved. Reading some of the comments and checking articles has eased my mind a bit, but I still have some doubts. For example it is something you think through clearly, make sure you are good with doing it before you go ahead. My friend I don't think is at that stage, but it is their decision.

I'm still worried about the whole thing, even though I find it is not as severe as first thought . Worry too much? For sure, yes.

 

[oil&gas]

OK, I'm a real Newbee to this.... I will admit it concerned me very much. I thought it was somewhat risky and you faced the risk to save a relative's life (or whomever). .................

Is the risk even an issue if the donor is indeed close to the recipient?

 

[69Shooter]

Here is a true-life (and well publicized) case of a person donating a kidney to a friend. The two had been teammates on the Dallas Cowboys.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/sports/football/ron-springs-cowboys-fullback-dies-at-54.html

 

[oldjones]

Donating your kidney to a stranger is an act of altruism. IMO one does not
have to be altruistic to be a moral person. Kidney donation to someone
unrelated is not about morality. It is just a matter up to the decision of the
person involved.

You'd have to give me an example of a moral, but non-altruistic person, before I'd accept that first assertion.

Kidney donation to someone unrelated may be the best way to get a kidney for someone near and dear. Your genetics and antibody profile may not suit your loved one, but be perfect for a stranger on the register. If that person likewise has a candidate donor, their kidney could also go to a stranger and so on until the chain reached a donor suitable your your friend.

So donation to someone unrelated may be baldly practical as the best way to aid your friend or relative. You could call it selfish if their interests were yours. Whatever. By the statistics, what you call altruism is more likely to aid your friend than refusing to consider stranger donation.

 

[oldjones]

OK, I'm a real Newbee to this.... … .. and I keep thinking thoughts like this: what if after the donation, the donor gets into an accident that badly damages the remaining kidney.....or is that just a risk you weigh out?…

Of course you weigh it out. Ask the transplant folks for the stats on death by kidney accident. I'd bet they've got the numbers. My mom-in-law had to have a kidney removed almost thirty years before she died of old age. Not like she ever played football, but having just one changed nothing about her lifestyle, including a sometimes dangerous fondness for vodka.

 

[rafterman]

There is a fairly well established protocol for the doner in these cases I believe to ensure they are of sound mind.