Organ Donations

[nightjumps 1]

With all the news about Paul, I feel compelled to share a recent change I've made. I; like some of you was resistant to being an Organ Donor for a long time. That resistance was based on ignorance.

In one of my classes at the State University, I assigned a persuasive speech. One of my students chose to give a speech on "Why you should become an organ donor." I was already resistant in my thoughts that if one wasn't already an organ donor, I really doubted she was going to change anyone's mind one way or the other. I was wrong.

The student taught the professor that the harvesting of organs is not done until you are declared brain dead. While you may be on life-support, once the decision has been made that you are never coming back, that's when the organs are harvested.

In addition, I had no idea how much good came out of this selfless act. Eyes can be used for transplant for cataract victims, your kidneys can save two lives, your liver can be used to save four lives, bone marrow, etc. This is important; your skin can be used help a dozen burn victims.

I spent that night researching the issue and the next day got my license changed to signify "Organ Donor" and communicated my wishes to my family (I also did a "Living Will," but that is another issue)

I challenge each of you that have been affected by Paul's passing to research the matter thoroughly. In his honor, may each of you who have not already, please consider filling out the organ donor portion of your license and communicate that desire to your loved ones (in some States, family members must verbally communicate or sign your intentions along with the Driver's License) to harvest organs.

Please consider giving the gift of life, as an honorarium, in memory of Paul Rafferty.

During a sad time for all...Blue skies,

Keith

[jakee 1,583]

Yep, the doctors only take them out when you don't need them any more. I've never really understood why people wouldn't want their organs used, there are usually huge waiting lists.

I read somewhere recently that Spain has an opt out rather than opt in organ donation scheme, sounds like a good idea.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[RoadRash 0]

When I first got my license, I felt the same way as you, however, after asking a billion questions and talking to my grandmother (who was a nurse for 36 years) I decided to have it on my license.


~R+R

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~...

[flyangel2 2]

To add to that:

Having a Living Will which states that after two doctors have declared you brain dead, organs can be taken.

The longer you are on life support, the more the organs start to deteriorate. Jack was only on life support for about four hours, all that they were able to use from him where his eyes for some one that needed cataract surgery.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[bbarnhouse 0]

A living will aka Physicians Directive is a good idea for everyone. I have had one for years. My family is aware of my wishes, and I keep one at the drop zone so there won't be any question.
Organ donation seems to be difficult for many, especially when it involves youngsters. I advocate for organ donation ...nobody needs organs when they have left this world....your donation can give someone else a chance at life.
Give blood often as well, it makes a difference.
B2

[bch7773 0]

they take your skin too? i didn't know that... i assume they only take the skin from where it won't be seen if you have an open casket right?

and i think donating your organs is a great idea. also, if case you are squeamish about them taking a particular organ, for example, your eyes, you can still donate the rest of your organs. its not an all-or-nothing thing. just make your wishes known to your family, and your living will, etc.

MB 3528, RB 1182

[skybytch 273]

Thank you for posting this.

Without organ donors my cousin wouldn't be alive today.

[arlo 0]

organ donation is truly one of the most incredible gifts of life.

thank you for posting this to heighten awareness for organ donation and big thanks to the girl in your class that did her speech on it. that speech could save so many lives...

amazing the power of words....

everyone have a safe weekend.

arlo

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

I'm an organ donor. It makes sense. When I have no use for the functional organs, it's nice to offer them to someone who has use for them; who can have a hopeful future.

_________________________________________

[nael 0]

I always have been an organ donor. I like the idea that if I die I can still help other people, makes it seem more like I didnt die for nothing I guess.

www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

[Ian84 0]

Never really thought a whole lot about it. I just turned over my drivers license and saw the organ donor part and signed it. I just figure if they arent doing me any good then someone else might as well have them.

[JoeyRamone 0]

I am glad to hear you will now be a doner. Any passing of a friend is the hardest issue to deal with in life. Please take a look at this link, read from Shannon Ryan...This is about my best friend we lost a year ago last January.

Peace,

Tim
http://www.robi.org/dfr/personalstories.asp
[url]

[mjosparky 4]

It is always to soon and they are always so young. I am sorry you lost a friend. Friends are special.
Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[nightjumps 1]

Clarification:

A couple of folks have PM'd me condolences regarding Paul. I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking that I was a close friend of Pauls. I "believe" I met Paul once, but am not quite sure.

In the case of skydiving, there is one level of separation between those we know and those they know.

If one is in the sport long enough, when one feels the pain of loss, we all share the pain. My thoughts regarding the organ donation were the result of Paul's burns and my student's words that by donating skin, we can help a dozen burn victims and a desire to suggest the organ donation program to my fellow skydivers.

We are a family of skydivers and the gift we give may help one of our own family members.

Keith

[aprilcat 0]

A couple of folks have PM'd me condolences regarding Paul. I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking that I was a close friend of Pauls. I "believe" I met Paul once, but am not quite sure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm sure you did. You met him in the spirit of 'one that takes the hand of the next one behind him/her and helps...

I saw on one of the two posts..someone said 'Paul is still with us for a reason'. When I saw your posting, I (REALLY) said: aha, here is a reason people will understand.
We are thinking outside of ourselves in the biggest ways. Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind and I am so happy that you have changed our opinion; happy that quite a FEW people have changed their opinions and made a move. If Organ Donation still freaks you out, please donate a pint of blood--its still needed.
Give your student an A (at least), Keith, and thank you for sharing!~~April

Camelot II, the Electric Boogaloo!

[crwmike 0]

Quote

With all the news about Paul, I feel compelled to share a recent change I've made. I; like some of you was resistant to being an Organ Donor for a long time. That resistance was based on ignorance.

In one of my classes at the State University, I assigned a persuasive speech. One of my students chose to give a speech on "Why you should become an organ donor." I was already resistant in my thoughts that if one wasn't already an organ donor, I really doubted she was going to change anyone's mind one way or the other. I was wrong.

The student taught the professor that the harvesting of organs is not done until you are declared brain dead. While you may be on life-support, once the decision has been made that you are never coming back, that's when the organs are harvested.

In addition, I had no idea how much good came out of this selfless act. Eyes can be used for transplant for cataract victims, your kidneys can save two lives, your liver can be used to save four lives, bone marrow, etc. This is important; your skin can be used help a dozen burn victims.

I spent that night researching the issue and the next day got my license changed to signify "Organ Donor" and communicated my wishes to my family (I also did a "Living Will," but that is another issue)

I challenge each of you that have been affected by Paul's passing to research the matter thoroughly. In his honor, may each of you who have not already, please consider filling out the organ donor portion of your license and communicate that desire to your loved ones (in some States, family members must verbally communicate or sign your intentions along with the Driver's License) to harvest organs.

Please consider giving the gift of life, as an honorarium, in memory of Paul Rafferty.

During a sad time for all...Blue skies,

Keith

The driver's license thing is just PR to promote awareness. It has no bearing on anything that happens in the organ harvesting sequece of events. If you want to be an organ donor, make a 'living will' and most importantly, express your wishes to family members as it takes the permission of the next of kin (better yet, have them sign the living will with you!). In reality, if you have ONE family member object, the process usually stops. I recently had the sister of a brain death patient who adamantly refused to have life support withdrawn or even to consent to a DNR (Do Not Resusitate) because that would stop his disability checks.

Another harsh reality: organ donation teams don't move till they have good paying customers lined up for a few of the more profitable organs. They harvest the rest and good work is done with them. There are plenty of organs available right now but the money just isn't there. I have worked with hundreds of patients declared brain dead over the years and duly reported them. TWO were followed up on and harvested cause they had paying customers waiting.

Do you think livers were immediately available for Mickey Mantle and Larry Hagman just because they were lucky? They were paying customers.

Having said that, the 'leftover' organs can and do save lives.

BSBD,

Michael

[nightjumps 1]

Quote

Give your student an A (at least)

She got an "A." I wish I could have given her a higher grade. She used logos, pathos, ethos like a fencing master and moved a spectrum of folks to action. One of the best speeches I've ever heard.

[skydivingchad 0]

Just a technical detail, but eyes are NOT used for cataract 'victims'. First, everyone past 50 has some degree of lens changes...early cataract. All a cataract is is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. You pop out the cloudy lens and insert a silicone lens for the surgery when the vision is impacted. No human tissue is used for transplantation there.

The only part of the eye that is used is the cornea. This is the front clear surface of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. A lot of eye diseases like keratoconus as well as eye trauma affect the cornea and make it opaque. That's where the donor cornea comes in.

Jen aka Mrs. Chad.

Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.
Pelt Head #3

[arlo 0]

just wanted to bump this up....