Let’s say that you do want to be a donor but you haven’t
discussed it with your family yet. Something awful happens to you, and you are
brain dead. Your family is asked if they will donate your organs, but when they
go in to see you, they look up at the screen and see you still have a pulse,
heart beat, and appear to be breathing (you are on a respirator). From watching
ER or other medical shows, they “know” that you are still alive until that heart
monitor line goes flat, so they do not allow the doctors to donate your organs.
How could they, you are still ‘alive’?! This is one of the biggest problems for people
waiting for organs right now: people do not understand brain death. When
a person is brain dead, there is no way
that they will recover. They are actually dead, but the doctors are
keeping the
body going to keep the organs alive. As soon as they pull the plug, the
person’s
body will die too. Brain death is not the same thing as a coma or even
being in
a persistent vegetative state. I think it is crucial that people
educate
themselves on organ donation and brain death before they are put in a
position
where they have to make this extremely important decision for a loved
one. It is also important for you to sit down with your family and tell
them how you feel about organ donation. I know this isn’t the easiest
topic to bring up, but if something does happen to you, talking about
it now will make their decision a lot easier, and they will have
the comfort of knowing they did exactly what you wanted.
I am an organ donor for many reasons:
1. If I was ever in need of an organ, I would not hesitate
to put myself on the organ recipient list. If I’m willing to take an organ, isn’t
it only fair that I offer mine to someone who needs it when I die?
2. If there is any way that my own death could help someone
else live, I would feel selfish keeping that opportunity from them. I’m not
going to be using my heart, but I’m sure thousands of people out there could.
3. It is amazing to think about a part of me living on in
someone else.
4. Being an organ donor does not cost anything.
5. Despite the rumors you have probably heard, being an
organ donor does not mean that the doctors will not work as hard to save your
life.
6. How could I turn down the chance to be a hero?
Here are some sites you can visit for more information:
Organ donation myths and facts
Brain death information
Frequently asked questions
Little girl who received heart
Gift of Life Foundation
Confessions of a student nurse 
The email did not make it, please try again. we are on k10-just down the street. I have a great organ donor story. I might make that my blog for the day. Very inspiring for anyone who hasn\’t made that decision!
Good post. I thought about that after last week\’s House episode when they kept the lady \’alive\’ to heal her from whatever disease she had so that her heart could be used.
That\’s SO weird! I was just talking about this with my husband last night. I didn\’t know he wanted to be on a vent for 30 days – and if no progress he said to pull the plug. He didn\’t know that I want to be DNR. And we both want to donate our organs. Good post! Keep up the great work!
Hey Katie,
Haven\’t stopped by here in a while. Lots of good reading it seems. On
this subject. During my brother\’s stay in the hospital we have met a
lot of different families who have come and gone. The apartment my mom
is staying in also has many patients who have had or are waiting on a
organ transplant. (They need to be really close to the hospital at all
times) Anyway it was during this time we all decided and discussed
together our plans for each and everyone of us to be organ donors if
the situation ever arrives. I personally don\’t see why anyone would not
want to give someone else the chance to live. We don\’t need our
internal organs in heaven.
Have a blessed evening,
Susan
Very sound information. Organ procurement programs across the country should be thankful for info such as yours.It is of paramount importaance that families are aware of their loved ones wishes.Having your driver\’s liscense noted as organ donor is not enough because family can over ride your decision if they want. That is why the closet relatives should be educated as to your wishes. Good post ,Katie.
Nurse Bill
I agree. People do not understand brain death. Look at what happened in Flordia. It is a stimulus response thing sometimes and people don\’t understand. That is when quality of life comes into play. Still, they think \’taking\’ a life is wrong even though the person is technically already dead.
Excellent post!
AMEN!
Thank you for saying this Katie. So many people out there do not realize the gift they hold in their hands when they agree to be organ donors.
T
Yep, I AM an organ doner…So is my husband. We have also discussed, should anything ever happen to our son, his organs will be donated also. This is a BIG issue with us..
Carrie
Thank you for this post! I am an Educator with Intermountain Donor Services in Salt Lake City, Utah. I go to High Schools in South East Idaho and educate high Schoolers on Organ Donation. This is such an important topic and needs to be discussed BEFORE a tragedy occurs. Then the living know already the decision to make and that there loved one apporves. I was so excited to read this today. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passing on information to others about where to go for correct information on Organ Donation.
Hello! I am a lpn, and in college now to become a rn (haven’t started the nursing portion yet). I have literally been reading your posts all night! First, I want to thank you for doing this. It is nice to hear your (honest) experiences, as well as encouragement, for all present & future nursing students. I hope you continue to share your experiences; good, bad, frightening, and joyous!
Second, thank you for taking the time to share about organ donation. There is no harm in checking that little box! I did. This post hit close to home for me. My older sister had a heart transplant when she was 18. She is now 30. The donor was only 21 when she was walking and got hit by a vehicle, coming from college (in NYS). It was obviously-totally unexpected, and after 10 days or so, her family decided to take her off life support, due to no brain activity. Although her family lost a beautiful, young woman, who was an aspiring opera singer(ironically from Texas. We live in New York)-my family was granted the continued presence of my beautiful sister. What is tragedy for one family, can truely, but sadly, become a blessing for another. ♡ God bless.