You can register to be an organ donor online!

[Indadhanu]

https://www2.medicareaustralia.gov.a...gistration.jsp

I only just found out!

Ok, so time for me to come out and admit... I haven't registered before. I think organ donation is a wonderful, fantastic, amazing thing, and a gift to another human. I just haven't registered.

I'll admit that my fear is that ... in the event that I was in a situation where they may or may not live, and someone else needed an organ, that maybe they wouldn't try so hard to save. Or maybe instead of trying different things they'd just push for the organs. Because they have to take them before you officially die don't they?
Ok, look, I didn't say my reason was justified. And I'm not that well-read on the details.

I've been thinking about it but never got around to doing it. But did you know that only about 15% of the population are registered?!?!?! Isn't that terrible. I feel terrible, since I'm only just registering now, and I hope that more people register.

But I'm going to register now. Because it's so easy!
And because if something were to happen to Shel or Jazz, I would accept a donated organ to save their life. But to do that, people actually have to donate. And I'd feel like a hypocrit to say "Yes I'll accept donated organs to save mine or a loved ones life, but I'm not donating to save someone else's partner or child or parent..."

[Calluna]

Ooh I'll be doing that tonight, been meaning to for ages just never got around to it. Thanks Leasha

[Ahurani]

Im already on it Make sure you tell your families! Because they make the final decision! They can say no

[Calluna]

Im already on it Make sure you tell your families! Because they make the final decision! They can say no

I'm a bit worried about this- DF is very anti- organ donation and I cant help but wonder if he'd stop them.

[Ahurani]

Oh thats sad I hope my family know how much I believe in it to say yes to do it

[meow]

Leasha- you have to be on life support and have that switched off to be an organ donor. Your organs being donated would only ever be a secondary outcome of that decision being made IYKWIM. The hospital will always try to save you- because saving a life is the first priority. But if it is deemed that nothing more could be done then switching off life support would be discussed with your family and if that decision was made then they would discuss the decision to donate your organs.

I'm signed up and have a very supportive family so I know it would happen. My H's mother is JW though and he kept putting her down on things as his next of kin. I explained to him that I'm his next of kin and I will support his choice for organ donation so he needs to put ME down! He does now. Not sure what would happen if we were both in an accident though.

[nic]

Leasha, To be an organ donor there are a few things that have to happen. You have to be on life support, and you must be brain dead. Not in a coma, but actually brain dead. I think they also have 3 independent doctors sign off to this fact. So it won't be a doctor who was looking after you, that is trying to harvest your organs for someone else if that makes sense?? There is a co-ordiantor at the hospital who makes sure that the process has met the legal requirements and that the donor family is being supported. They won't just talk the family in to giving organs and then leave you alone.

There is a donor co-ordinator, who is there for the donor's family and recipient. The person who received the donation, is given the opportunity to write a letter to the donors family. I think it is the co-ordinator who looks over the letter to make sure there is no personal information in there that can lead the donors family back to the recipient.

There is also a thanksgiving service every year for donor families and the people who received transplants. It's simply for everyone to come together and give thanks for the gift of life and to remember that someone else lost theirs..

Registering is a great start. But everyone needs to talk to their families about their wants, as they have the final say on the issue.

[Sopdet]

I've been registered to donate organs since I was 18.

Just a reminder with regards to this: don't forget to let your immediate family know your wishes as well, because they can override your wishes.