Organ donor thread, part 2?

[renuck]

So with the recent organ donor thread I've made sure I'm signed up to be an organ donor and the family knew this and agreed with it, but I found out some things I didn't know.

I've always been for organ donation and in the event I am an organ donor I wanted what ever was left over to be donated to science or medical education/research. Apparently you cant do both so I need to pick one. I wasn't able to find any stats so this discussion will need to be opinion based - unless somebody found something I didn't. Where do you think the most good could be done? possibly saving 1-5 people via transplant or donating your body for research or to a university educating a future surgeon that could possibly save hundreds?

 

[bigbangupper]

Apparently you cant do both so I need to pick one.

I was not aware of this. As far as I know, I am registered for both transplant and research (in the event that transplant is impossible or inappropriate) for all organs that were on the list. I signed up several years ago so maybe it's different now, but that doesn't sound like something they would quietly change.

 

[LT56]

I’d go with organ donation because this is a cool song.

 

[kid_kuh]

I believe if you are apart of a society that contributes to your development and livelyhood then you are obligated to that said society. What will you do with those organs after you're gone. We can all do our part to help those who will continue to contribute to our great society.

 

[managee]

So with the recent organ donor thread I've made sure I'm signed up to be an organ donor and the family knew this and agreed with it, but I found out some things I didn't know.

I've always been for organ donation and in the event I am an organ donor I wanted what ever was left over to be donated to science or medical education/research. Apparently you cant do both so I need to pick one. I wasn't able to find any stats so this discussion will need to be opinion based - unless somebody found something I didn't. Where do you think the most good could be done? possibly saving 1-5 people via transplant or donating your body for research or to a university educating a future surgeon that could possibly save hundreds?

Well I’m full of shit or just living in the past or something. I can see that your donor status follows you on new health cards.

Didn’t it used to be on our driver’s licenses as well?

I wanted to check to make sure my donor status was correct, so I hopped on Service Ontario’s donor page.

Took longer to find my health card.

Brewwguy, the options I had were:

1. Transplant Only

2. Transplant / Organ and Tissue Research

Where were you able to find the science / medical education and research options, or did you not go through Service Ontario’s web portal?

 

[managee]

I’d go with organ donation because this is a cool song.

Anyone who’s unfamiliar with Keller Williams, check-it. Skip to 5:00 if you want to see why he’s a big deal for some of us.

 

[renuck]

Well I’m full of shit or just living in the past or something. I can see that your donor status follows you on new health cards.

Didn’t it used to be on our driver’s licenses as well?

I wanted to check to make sure my donor status was correct, so I hopped on Service Ontario’s donor page.

Took longer to find my health card.

Brewwguy, the options I had were:

1. Transplant Only

2. Transplant / Organ and Tissue Research

Where were you able to find the science / medical education and research options, or did you not go through Service Ontario’s web portal?

It did used to be tied to your driver's license (the old type). The other thread made me look it up and the info needed was my health card. It just came up with a statement that I was a registered organ donor. I didn't see any options like "Transplant / Organ and Tissue Research". Thanks! I'll look into that.

The donor vs. research/education info I found was through google. Admittedly I haven't looked too far into it yet but that is the info I found and apparently you need to make arrangements with the local University prior to. Also if your body does go to a University it is preserved and used for years to educate medical students.

 

[timekeep]

when you get your OHIP renewal letter in the mail every 5 years there is an organ donor letter included with both options. You fill it out and take it in when renewing your card.

 

[essguy_]

Personally, I would go the donor route, unless you’re of an age where your organs may not be used. The organ donor shortage is immediate. If there is a shortage of med school cadavers, it just means that students have to eg: triple up whereas transplant list patients can’t wait.

For med school cadavers, there is actually a shortage of elderly donors. After she turned 70, my mother specified in her will that she wants her body donated to UofT. Of course, knowing a lot of doctors, I know it’s not the most dignified way to go and the cadavers are not always treated with the respect you would expect. But what the hell, you’re dead anyway. Med school cadavers are mass cremated and you can request some ashes if you want - but since the bodies are anonymous, there is no assurance that the ashes contain any of your loved one.

Edit to add: I can’t remember but think that even if you specify a University, it may not necessarily go there (eg: if UofT has a lot and another Canadian U has a shortage, they can ship it there).

 

[bazokajoe]

Personally I am going into the ground with all the same parts I had coming into this world.