Friday 11 September 2009

Organ Donation, Should We Opt in or Out?

Should we have to opt out of being an organ donor? Almost 10 million people are now registered as donors, but what about the millions of others? why do people not register? Some will be for religious reasons, others because they mean to get round to it but never do, or maybe because of fear, fear of the unknown, or superstition that if you register than something bad will happen to you, this is the same reason many people dont make a will. Its tempting fate isnt it?
Over 4000 people a year fail to get transplants because of the shortage of organs.
It is a terrible thought to lose a loved one, awful to even think about but what would you do if asked the question by the Doctor "can we have the organs" would you feel better knowing your loved one had a card? Or what if it was yourself? Would you want to leave the decision up to your nearest and dearest.
One donor can donate heart, lungs, two kidneys, pancreas, liver and small bowel, also you could help save two peoples eye sight.
You can also turn the tables and ask how it must feel knowing your loved one needs a transplant and will die without.
So if not enough people opt in then why not have an opt out system? you carry a card to say no i dont want to be a donor. Simple.
People tragically do die young, a perfect way to die would be after a long life, a good night out, the best sex ever and fast asleep in the arms of your lover, but lifes not like that.
Decide what you would do today, dont leave it too late, it is so easy to register, you can do it online right now.
Now shall i ask? Are you a blood donor?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I choose not to carry a donor card but I have no objection to opting out if this proposed measure comes into force. I think it is a good suggestion but I would need to be extra sure that doctors wouldn't start chopping me up before they've made extensive checks first.

Anonymous said...

I have chosen to be a doner and believe opt out to be better than opt in.
My Mother was on life support for best part of a week whilst tests were carried out to ensure 'brain death' before donation. That was a very traumatic but necessary experience - visiting and seeing a loved one 'breathing' all be it though a machine and praying they would wake up. Safeguards would have to be in place for the possability of 'rogue' doctors. But in the cold light of day once we are dead - we are dead. If a few pieces of us gives a quality if life to another why not!