Blood & Organ Donation

[Slim]

As motorcyclists, we participate in a high-risk pastime (or sport) and many of us have been, or will be, involved in accidents.

I got into donating blood whilst still at high school, although this lapsed when I left to go to work. Then RustyLee talked me into attending a BRONZ Blood Run in Auckland and I did many of them over the next few years.

I now donate platelets, which I can do every month, instead of every 3-6 months.

I also ticked the Organ Donator box when I got my drivers licence, and have made my family aware of my wishes and included this in my will, as family can veto the decision you've made on your drivers licence.


Do any of you lot donate? And how do you feel about organ donation?

[Antallica]

Well when I die I'm not going to use them anymore, might as well give someone else a 2nd chance of life.

*ticked donor box*

[jrandom]

Originally posted by Slim
how do you feel about organ donation?

The concept itself doesn't bother me, and certainly I'd like to help someone else out with any bits I've got no use for any more!

However I've always been a bit worried about the situation where my condition is marginal (carry on revival attempts? pull the plug?) and someone's in OT down the hall waiting for a nice fresh liver or wotnot... do I really want that consideration pressing on the minds of the people looking after me?

Now, this could just be silly paranoia of course. Maybe I've watched too many ER episodes. Anyone care to contribute some real-world knowledge or experience?

[Firefight]

Do any of you lot donate? And how do you feel about organ donation?

1) Yes.

2) I fully support the idea of donating organs, both my wife and I have our driver licenses ammended to indicate that, also our teenage daughters agree with the concept of donating organs.

It is a good idea to discuss this with your family, as Slim suggests,
having it noted on your drivers license does not automatically give the hospital the right to start chopping bits out and putting them in a jar for later use !

It will be interesting to see if this devlopes into a debate, as there are many cultural/religious feelings against the concept of blood/organ donating, I guess you have to feel comfortable in your self with the concept.

I have no problem with this !


firefight.

[MadDuck]

hhmmmm....I used to give blood every 6 months. Then some half arsed bereaucrat decided that anyone who spent time in the UK in the late 1980s or early 1990s could not donate anymore

Something to do with "Mad Cow Disease" (lmao a Madduck with Madcow disease).....wish I could get rid of this nervous twitch

Have Organ donor on licence at least. They can have anything salvagable...liver might be a bit shot and lungs proly not much good either

[Lou Girardin]

Having organ donor on your licence isn't sufficient, they need family consent too.
I often offer to donate an organ to my wife, she must be a different blood type, says no.
Lou

[Coldkiwi]

Yup, I'd love to be able to help someone else save their life if I've been unfortunate enough to loose mine.

I like donating blood. What can I say, I'm a sucker for free Afghans, Tim Tams and coffee! So long as I go to the Architecture school set up when it comes to Auck Uni, I get a wicked feed. My friends and I used to have races to get to the magical 440ml mark!! I felt sorry for the poor sods who didn't realise the wooden grabber actually helped speed the process up... some of them only processed 100mls in the time it took me to get laid down, punctured, drained and the compulsory 10 minute lie down!

Actually Slim, when you're giving some more blood make sure they take it out of your left arm so you can work that clutch hand as you pump the blood out!

For some reason though, the last few times I've had the donation reminder in the post I'm always fighting off a cold so I can't go. But I certainly support it. I may well need a heap of blood if I'm to survive a nasty motorcycle accident and I would feel much better about using someone elses if I know I've already done someone the same favor.

 

[Jackrat]

Yep Iv,e been donating blood for yonks,When I kick the bucket they can take anything they want but somehow I don,t think most of my bits are gonn,a be worth much,

[riffer]

1. I used to give blood between ages 18 and 30 (I'm 36) but I had a major lymphatic infection which took out my pancreas six years ago and since I'm now insulin-dependent diabetic because of this they won't take my blood anymore. Apparently too much insulin in your blood is not good for other people!

2. Yes, organ donor on my licence. If anything is left of me that can be used, then I'd like to think I can help someone else...

[Big Dog]

I used to donate but they won't let me any more because of my medication.

And I want my organ donation wishes included in a tattoo on my chest so no-one, repeat no-one can deny my wishes!

[Andrew]

1)I can't donate blood because i'm a pom, and i'm suppose to have mad cow disease.

2)I'm a donor on my license, shouldn't this not be allowed if I can't give blood?

[Kickaha]

Originally posted by Coldkiwi


I like donating blood. What can I say, I'm a sucker for free Afghans, Tim Tams and coffee!  

Me to,been doing it for around 25 years off and on,normally every three months,as for organ donation once I'm dead they can hack whatever bits they want out of me.

Whole blood is all they will let me donate and they earmark it all for babypacks for ICU.

[wkid_one]

Donate blood every 12 weeks. Not a donor tho/

[curious george]

I work on the liver transplant team at Auckland hospital, so I can honestly say your donations are hugely appreciated by the reciepients.
(Not necessarly me if I means getting up at 0200 hrs to do the swap though!)

We do Liver, kidneys (x2) and sometimes Greenlane want the heart, lungs and sometimes cornea.
Not always all of it, and sometimes prople only want to donate certain bits.
Ther are strict criteria about the circumstances to make you elligible for donation, it's a fairly involved and controlled process, not a hit squad who trawl for the unluckies!!!

Hey, JR, if you are injured dying, and there may be a 1:10000000 chance you make it, we will throw the kitchen sink at you to stop that. Who ever you are. Prime minister, drunk driver, your mother or even kiwi biker!


When we sit down at look at what we've used on major trauma, it's amazing.
My record is 67 units of blood products. In 2 hrs. + we recycle the old blood.

I really feel for the family who after the bad news have to decide if they want their loved one to donate.
Some don't, despite donors wishes, and that's fine.
Whatever the choice, it's not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

/on a lighter note, keep riding!

Sorry if the above was a bit mutch, lond day today

[MadDuck]

Yeah Lou

I know licence is not enough. BUT if anyone does have concerns on this issue there is a thing called an "Enduring Power of Attorney"

I have one. It means I have chosen a very very close member of my family to have the final say on what happens to me should the worst case scenario happen. That person has the power to agree to the doctors wish to pull the plug and honour my wishes.

And the doctors dont make that decision lightly ...I know from experience!

Yeah ok it is money for jam for the lawyers but I have peace of mind ... sorry but I digress - but Mad Cows do that

Damn I hope one of you has my blood type since i am banned from donating now. Meant I could go get that tatto I always wanted though