Only 38 people donated organs in 2007

**PrincessBandit** · 25th January 2008, 13:57

Originally Posted by Nagash

Whoa.. not a single one of you actually knows why English people can't give blood? That's somewhat dissapointing.

I believe Mark said it before but it's because of the Mad Cow Disease. Seeing as we don't know what the disease actually looks like we can't be sure if the person may or may not have it and NZ being a big agricultural country can't afford to take the risk.

Hence anyone in the UK between 1980 to 1996 who was there for over 3 months can't give blood in NZ and quite alot of other countries. Not sure about organ donations but I shall research for you.

[EDIT] Ah okay I found it,

"those people who have lived in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or France for more than three months between 1980 and 1996 cannot donate blood, heart valves and skin but are able to donate organs and eyes for transplantation."

I never knoew you could donate eyes.. that's nasty.

My sis lived there for a while during that period, and so same applies to her even though (to my knowledge) she never received blood products in any way shape or form. Prolly just cos of the potential exposure to mad cow stuff. Any btw how could you not know about eyes? Have you never watched "Minority Report"???? (oops, sorry, that's Hollywood for ya)

**PrincessBandit** · 25th January 2008, 13:58

Seriously, i think the eye thing is mainly corneas rather than whole eyeballs (but I could be wrong, it has been know to happen occasionally).

**stanko** · 25th January 2008, 16:08

Originally Posted by Pussy

The worst thing about a lung transplant would be coughing up someone else's phlegm

Ill tell you what its like when I get one !

**Bikernereid** · 25th January 2008, 16:13

Yes but with dirty little Kiwis!!

Originally Posted by 007XX

That's because we know you poms are naughty little monkeys, always up to no good

**007XX** · 25th January 2008, 16:17

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

Yes but with dirty little Kiwis!!

Well, at least you got good taste in that department!

And Kiwis are not dirty, just deceptively quick and gifted learners!

**Trudes** · 25th January 2008, 17:43

There was just a thing on One NEWS about a girl in Australia who had a liver transplant and it changed her blood type, but she doesn't need to take any of the organ rejection pills, absolutely amazing, and one very thankful young lady!!

**McJim** · 25th January 2008, 18:12

My mum had kidney failure - would have been dead by now. She had a transplant - it rejected violently.

Then after another few years of dialysis she got another kidney transplant. It's called 'Roger the lodger' and has been going for about 15 years now.

I realise the importance to families of donors but worry that although my organs would be perfectly acceptable in the UK it's disappointing that they would not be considered here.

**Bikernereid** · 25th January 2008, 18:37

Well as someone who doesn't like dating Brits Kiwis aren't bad!! And hell yeah they are quick to learn and willing to try!! I MISS MY LITTLE KIWI OWNER!!!!!!

Wouldn't boast about them being deceptively quick though!!

Have you thought about working for the NZ tourist board?!!

Originally Posted by 007XX

Well, at least you got good taste in that department!

And Kiwis are not dirty, just deceptively quick and gifted learners!

**crashe** · 25th January 2008, 19:11

Donors

I have a good friend who on the 1st September 2006 got the phone call to get to hospital ASAP. He was the recipient of a double lung transplant.
On the same day a lady was the recipient of a heart.
On that same day other people received some other parts that came from a very generous person, who sadly passed away........ how that person died we don't know.

My friend had a very bad year...... due to some complications with his stomach and other things going wrong. But he has survived....... at the time before the operation, he was given a short time to live. He suffered with emphsemia (sp) and could hardly walk a short distance of 50 feet.

He had gone throu all the dr's etc to make sure that he could cope mentally and physicially deal with what was going to happen. Yep months and months of discussion. He was then given a month to decide to go on the books or not. He finally made his decision and within 2 months got a phone call.
He was very lucky as the donor was of the same type as him.

Nope he didn't jump the gun over anyone else....... him and the donor were compatible... but not with anyone else on the 'list'

I have watched and seen what my friend has gone throu over the past year and a half...... most others don't go throu what he went throu... most recover fairly well and quickly. The recipient of the heart is doing well.
Some like him can take a fair while to recover due to how they get over the operation and get back walking again and doing exercises etc etc.

I spent time up at 'Hearty Towers' Green Lane Hospital with him and getting to know a few other recipients from other donors....... sadly one passed away due to complications just as he was about to be sent home for good.

It is a big decision to be a donor let along being a recipient when a donor part is needed.

Spending time with my friend and his lovely partner gave me a real inside look into what people go throu in the recovery.

To date he has not meet the donor's family...... he has thought of it, but they don't wish to.

So my friend lives thanks to a wonderful person and their family.

Rest in peace to that unknown donor.

**Jiminy** · 25th January 2008, 20:00

It's funny, I've never felt comfortable with the idea of being a donor, although I've always supported it in principle. I finally ticked the box when I passed my restricted.

**Steam** · 25th January 2008, 20:02

People who don't plan on being donors should be forbidden from getting organs.

**MotoGirl** · 25th January 2008, 20:27

Originally Posted by Steam

People who don't plan on being donors should be forbidden from getting organs.

And how does that help the wishes of someone dying who wants to help others survive? Isn't that the whole point in being a donor? If you're going to pick who can and cannot receive organs, you could go as far to say that people who're cu*ts should be forbidden from getting them too.

**007XX** · 29th January 2008, 08:42

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

Well as someone who doesn't like dating Brits Kiwis aren't bad!! And hell yeah they are quick to learn and willing to try!! I MISS MY LITTLE KIWI OWNER!!!!!!

Wouldn't boast about them being deceptively quick though!!

I should have been more precise and added: "in my personal experience"

Mind you, only been with one kiwi, and then married him, so I guess that hardly qualifies as extensive research

Don't matter though...

**BIGBOSSMAN** · 29th January 2008, 16:43

Liver Transplant

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJnFOTkV214[/YOUTUBE]

**u4ea** · 29th January 2008, 16:57

I've been a donor ever since Adam was a cowboy.By the time I expire and check into my warmed up room for one there won't be much left thats any good.Chances are I'll end up at Massey with tutors saying "..and this is what happens when ya drink too much

and this is what happens after 25 smokes a day .." I dont care so long as they don't rot before Im done with them.

As for blood it doesn't drain out of me fast enough so no good to the vampires