Decide NOW to be an Eye Donor
What are the odds?Over the past two weeks I twice found myself waiting at the Department of Motor Vehicles. One time it was about me (license had nearly expired!), the other visit was for my daughter (newly licensed driver).
Oh, the noise of humanity! The hordes of grumbling motorists, the inconsolable infants, the monotonous public address messages. Above it all, the one sound that I clearly heard was the DMV clerks' inquiry "Do you agree to become an organ donor?"
Do YOU agree to become an organ donor?
As an ophthalmologist this is a very important question. Most folks hear the phrase 'organ donor' and they think of hearts, lungs, and livers. Truth be told, corneal transplantation is far more common and far more successful. And remember, two people benefit when the eyes are donated.
This is no time to be squishy. Check your driver's license. Have you agreed to organ donation in the event of your untimely death? Organ donation is an act of extreme generosity encouraged by all major religious faiths and cultures. Yes, you can decide to donate individual organs or let many recipients benefit from your good legacy. Take my word for it, nobody viewing your open casket will notice anything missing - 'She looks fabulous!'
Finally, if you agree to let others live after your life has ended then be sure to inform others of your decision. It will insure that your organs are harvested expeditiously and it will inspire others to follow your marvelous example.
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Technorati Tags: organ donor, cornea transplant
5 Comments:
About 60% of the organs transplanted in America go to people who haven't agreed to donate their own organs when they die. As long as we let non-donors jump to the front of the waiting list if they need a transplant we'll always have an organ shortage.
There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage -- give organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs when they die.
Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren't willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.
Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. LifeSharers is a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. They do this through a form of directed donation that is legal in all 50 states and under federal law. Anyone can join for free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. LifeSharers has 7,637 members. Over 700 of our members are minor children enrolled by their parents.
David J. Undis
Executive Director
LifeSharers
www.lifesharers.org
Just to let you know. I have started a One-A-Day-2007 project to bring about more organ donation awareness.
Check the blog out http://causaleffect.blogspot.com and go over to the pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/oneaday2007.
It’s been a labor of love and has become an incredibly difficult project to fulfill.
Basically, I am trying to take a photo portrait of someone I meet everyday. It needs to be a total stranger and I have to get them to agree to a photo, sign a photo release form and give me a quote that I can use with their picture.
I am not identifying them by anything but an initial, usually the initial of their first name. Most have people been supportive, a few have not. I have been run out of one restaurant and one gas station. Not bad for my first week. Only 51 more to go.
causaleffect
As a cornea transplant recipient (October, 2003), I add a heartfelt "amen" to the good doctor's comments. Years ago, I made the decision to be an organ donor myself, and -- very importantly -- communicated this to my family, so that they know what my wishes are. It's a gift that simply cannot be measured.
Oh, please..."I'm not sharing my toys because you don't share yours." That's how petty Mr. Undis sounds. Yes, I am an organ donor. And, yes, I agree that organ donation needs to be brought to the attention of everyone. But to "black list" a potential recipient of a needed organ just because they aren't an organ donor is simply ludicrous.
Charlotte Buglio
USA
I recently lost a loved one who was an organ doner. Everything up to the point that she died was about being respectful to her wishesof organ donation.
In hindsight there is little education regarding the actual recovery process. I am dissapointed to find out that a donors fate is to be y'ed out split open and absolutely disected,iam sure with little regard to being tidy or respectful to the fact of what a donor has just given up.
Until the profession can achieve a more palatable and respectful procedure they need not proceed at all and I now stand in opposition to the donation programs
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