Organ donation after death: thoughts and experiences?

Scott Allen10 said:Oh man... you two seriously dug up a thread from five years ago!?😁

ps. pathologists don't just go around harvesting organs, you know.

Clearly, I wasn't clear enough for the general public or those looking to nitpick every single word.

Pathologists don't harvest organs, but some people seem to think that if someone goes to pathology for an autopsy, they’ll just start pulling organs out there. I say this based on actual experience; it’s frustrating how often we have to explain why an autopsy is necessary 🙏 and clarify that its sole purpose isn't anything other than determining the cause of death—which isn't a pathologist's only job, but that's beside the point right now...
Organs are harvested by surgeons. The specific specialty depends entirely on which organ is being taken, and if multiple organs are involved, a full team of doctors and nurses will handle it based on their respective fields.
I hope that settles the matter sufficiently.

P.S.
Even if the thread was revived, 🤷
the subject remains relevant.
Questions still persist...
People's hesitation toward being donors is a real issue, so why not revisit the conversation?

Easy now, girl, just relax...🙂

I was honestly just trying to be helpful, nothing more than that...

Anyway, if you're actually interested in this whole thing, you should probably jump over to this thread instead -

Scott Allen10 said:Easy now, girl, just relax...🙂

I was honestly just trying to be helpful, nothing more than that...

Anyway, if you're actually interested in this whole thing, you should probably jump over to this thread instead -

Merged 😁

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Quote:

QUOTE=Scott Allen10;12859257]Peace, sister, peace....🙂 I responded with nothing but good intentions, and that is all.

I suppose I was being rather blunt🤷

but let's not cause any unnecessary friction😉

Unfortunately, wherever there’s a need, there’s going to be abuse. Based on the poll, most people on this forum support organ donation (myself included), but the dark side of this entire "humanitarian" concept is a total void with zero light in sight...

Because what does it matter if hundreds of poor people are killed when money is the only thing that rules this world? There are over 6,000,000,000 of us out there...

Just read today's article in The Washington Post and check out that exhibition in Prague from March 4th, 2008.

Best,

When you look at all these wild conspiracy theories floating around regarding organ transplants—you know, those over-the-top, sensationalist posts claiming someone "went to sleep and woke up without a kidney"—there’s one thing we really need to clear up. In America, there has never been a single case where someone was stripped of their organs or "murdered" just so some mysterious, wealthy billionaire could write blank checks to villains in white lab coats to get what they want.
It’s honestly just not happening here, nor would anyone even attempt it given how the system works.

Come on, guys, let’s try to focus on the positive side of organ donation instead of letting this mindless, gloomy nonsense drown out the conversation, especially since none of these scary stories actually reflect the reality of the American healthcare system.

Scott Allen10 said:When you look at all these wild conspiracy theories floating around regarding organ transplants—you know, those over-the-top, sensationalist posts claiming someone "went to sleep and woke up without a kidney"—there’s one thing we really need to clear up. In America, there has never been a single case where someone was stripped of their organs or "murdered" just so some mysterious, wealthy billionaire could write blank checks to villains in white lab coats to get what they want.
It’s honestly just not happening here, nor would anyone even attempt it given how the system works.

Come on, guys, let’s try to focus on the positive side of organ donation instead of letting this mindless, gloomy nonsense drown out the conversation, especially since none of these scary stories actually reflect the reality of the American healthcare system.

👍👍👍
I second this.

Now, this feels like a pretty interesting topic to dive into. Personally, I see the human body as this incredible resource—honestly, if something were to happen to us, wouldn't it make sense to share that gift with people in need? Since I'm studying medicine, I see all sorts of things—or at least hear the stories—about how people react to organ donation, and frankly, some of it seems totally disconnected from common sense. I mean, someone who’s passed away isn't going to be needing their organs anymore, right? But there are plenty of people out there who could really use them. So, where do you all stand on this? Would you be an organ donor, and would you want your loved ones to be one too?

I actually just saw a poster about this at my doctor's office the other day... and it got me thinking—it might actually be a pretty decent idea to let someone else have my organs when I'm gone. I'll definitely take a closer look next time I head in for an appointment.

Honestly, I’m totally fine with someone else getting my organs once I kick the bucket. I mean, they aren't going to be doing me any good where I'm headed anyway, right?

Personally, I am all for letting my family step up. My family knows where I stand, and I know where they stand, so if the moment ever comes, they’ll be ready.
Nowadays, everyone is willing to donate, except for those cardholders who refuse, though even then, people still ask their families.
Honestly, there is no point in clinging to a body just for the sake of it; eventually, it all just ends up decaying in the ground anyway. :S
If one of my organs could save someone's life, why wouldn't I?

Jack Ramirez6 said:Now, this feels like a pretty interesting topic to dive into. Personally, I see the human body as this incredible resource—honestly, if something were to happen to us, wouldn't it make sense to share that gift with people in need? Since I'm studying medicine, I see all sorts of things—or at least hear the stories—about how people react to organ donation, and frankly, some of it seems totally disconnected from common sense. I mean, someone who’s passed away isn't going to be needing their organs anymore, right? But there are plenty of people out there who could really use them. So, where do you all stand on this? Would you be an organ donor, and would you want your loved ones to be one too?

I actually signed up to be a donor through my doctor when I was just a teenager.

If you're a believer, your soul is what matters most. If you aren't, then your body certainly isn't a big deal once you're gone. Honestly, I don't get why some people refuse to donate; it's like they're trying to hold onto something they can't even use anymore.🙄

Does anyone know if I can still sign up for that donor card? I mean—just in case something happens to me—I want it to be crystal clear that I’m an organ donor, regardless of what my family might say about it. My parents are pretty old-school and rigid about these things, and I’m fairly certain Mom wouldn't approve, so I'm wondering... how can I make my wishes absolutely unmistakable?

Jonathan Ruiz10 said:Does anyone know if I can still sign up for that donor card? I mean—just in case something happens to me—I want it to be crystal clear that I’m an organ donor, regardless of what my family might say about it. My parents are pretty old-school and rigid about these things, and I’m fairly certain Mom wouldn't approve, so I'm wondering... how can I make my wishes absolutely unmistakable?

Well, you should be able to pick one up from your primary care doctor—honestly, you probably should have one anyway. Or just check with the Red Cross or something similar. I'm not entirely sure what the exact procedure is these days—do they take everyone as a potential donor unless the family steps in or decides to play hardball? Just give it a quick Google search; I'm sure you'll find something.

Jonathan Ruiz10 said:Does anyone know if I can still sign up for that donor card? I mean—just in case something happens to me—I want it to be crystal clear that I’m an organ donor, regardless of what my family might say about it. My parents are pretty old-school and rigid about these things, and I’m fairly certain Mom wouldn't approve, so I'm wondering... how can I make my wishes absolutely unmistakable?

In the US, everyone is considered a donor unless you explicitly opt out, but just to be safe, you should totally grab one of those cards from your doctor.

That donor card doesn't actually do anything besides act as a little bit of propaganda to make people feel good about donating. You can carry one or just toss it in the trash, it honestly makes zero difference.
What really matters is what the family says when they're asked for permission regarding organ procurement.

But what if you’re at odds with your family? What if my mom and kids want one thing, but my husband and dad are on totally different pages?

At the end of the day, you're an organ donor unless you explicitly opt out. Why do they even bother asking the family? 😠

Honestly, I just keep my donor card tucked right inside my insurance card and hope someone actually notices it in eighty years.

copperrider20 said:But what if you’re at odds with your family? What if my mom and kids want one thing, but my husband and dad are on totally different pages?

At the end of the day, you're an organ donor unless you explicitly opt out. Why do they even bother asking the family? 😠

Honestly, I just keep my donor card tucked right inside my insurance card and hope someone actually notices it in eighty years.

That’s exactly it! What’s the point of us all being registered donors if they just turn around and ask my family anyway? 🤷 It’s total nonsense.

A member of my own family was recently gifted an organ donation that quite literally saved their life. Honestly, without that transplant, things would have taken a very dark turn much sooner. There really isn't anything more beautiful or profound than witnessing a life being reclaimed like this.

I am wholeheartedly in favor of organ donation. I’ve carried my donor card in my wallet for quite some time now, and it’s my firm belief that family consent shouldn't be a requirement in these circumstances. That was the way it was explained to me at the clinic, after all. Ultimately, signing that card represents a deeply personal choice, much like any other significant life decision—so I can't help but wonder why anyone else should have the final say over my own wishes once I'm gone.