Wednesday, 08 February 2012
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Living Organ Donation: Doing What I Can Do to Save a Life
This is the first time I've written a post and wanted it to get to the main page. I'm interested in doing something good -- something great, something that can save a life -- so I contacted the national marrow donor program. I just sent those little cotton swabs in yesterday. I don't know if I'll ever be a match for someone, but i hope I am.I don't really know, or care to know, all the goings on. I just know it involves lots of blood and lots of big needles. I do know that your bone marrow comes right on back, so that's pretty cool. After just a few weeks, it's like nothing ever happened. I would be more than happy to donate bone marrow as many times as I could -- so long as my body goes into it without any complications -- and I'd like to believe that I have a pretty healthy body, and then I'll heal up better than ever.
But I also want to donate an organ. I really want to. If I've got something that someone else needs to live just sitting inside me taking up space, I want you to have it, honestly. I don't know too much about the donation process. I've looked at the kidney and liver stuff. I thought those were the only two living donations you could do, but at my two-second glance at the lungs and intestines, I believe I saw that you can donate some of that tissue also.
Now I'm not looking to have a whole bunch of my organs all harvested up just yet. From what I've read in the past day or two of pondering this idea, I'd feel most comfortable donating some of my liver. I hear that can grow back to darn near full size, right?
Anyway, I don't have all day to write; I've put my homework off all weekend. I'm 24 years old, blood type a positive. I live near Chicago. I would like to donate anything I can to save a life. It might be a little off-putting to some people, but I'd prefer to donate to someone younger -- the younger the better -- or a parent with a whole bunch of kids, or a vet too. I'd donate to any vet or public service person like an EMT or police or firefighter.
I emailed a lady from Kidney Mitzvah last night; she's got a pretty nice story. I wonder how many lives she's helped save? Awesome stuff. So yeah, I don't even have a lot of friends on here, but I'm gonna tag the heck out of this. maybe see if a few of those 'ish' sites will put this up. I don't know how that all works.
So basically I'm just asking for your guys thoughts or ideas on the subject. Would you or wouldn't you donate an organ, bone marrow or even blood? If it's against your religion, I'd really like to know why. Send me a private message if you want. So, what do you think? Do you know of any people that are in need of a donation? I'd like to hear any and all thoughts please!!
And remember: donate blood! If you like to run, go run for a charity! If you don't like to run, give them some money! If you don't have any money, give them some blood! Please spay and neuter your pets too.
My thoughts and support go out to any person or people attached to said person who is waiting on a transplant list. I'd like to hear any and all stories, but I am sorry if I cannot help any single person. Please don't let that stop you from telling me anything that could help me make an informed decision.
Have you ever thought about doing a living organ donation? Have you or someone you know taken part in this, either as the giver or the receiver? Is organ donation something that your particular faith disagrees with, and, if so, why?
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- From: nebjaminadam@xanga
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Comments (14)
I can't donate blood because of a prescription I'm on, but I would if I could. I think it's great that you're interested in doing living organ donation. It's such a selfless act to change, and save, a person's life. I think it's also great that opting in to organ donation is such an easy process at the DMV when you're getting/updating your license.
@NCTHope@xanga - that is very true! even signing up for and organ donation following your untimely death can literally save countless lives. donating blood helps too! even if you can't do that you can suggest it to friends and family members, volunteer with the red cross when they come to town, or run for a charity. it's too easy not to help!!
I absolutely agree with doing body parts. In fact, I like the idea of the corpse becoming property of the State to do as they will for reusable bits. The rest can go to medical schools.
I'm too idle to do anything about doing stuff but the principle is flawless.
I donated blood twice but both times I felt really sick and nauseous after. I think it's because I'm underweight. I don't think I can donate blood anymore. I do give money to charities and stuff though. I'll donate my organs when I die.
@Lovegrove@xanga - my ma wants to do something like that. i think it's called a 'body farm' where they do all sorts of nasty things to your body. all in the name of science though! if i understand correctly, it's for crime scene investigation students (or similar) to be able to study and watch what happens when your body breaks down in this situation or that. it's pretty nasty stuff... but it might teach someone something that may one day catch an evil-doer! so i like it.
@cute_sushi@xanga - every little bit helps. my father has CLL, a type of leukemia, and he's obviously had to have a few blood transfusions and whatnot. you could very well have saved his life, so thank you!!
@nebjaminadam@xanga - One can end up in a jar to assist education or end up in a ditch to help the crops grow.
That movie "Seven Pounds" with will smith inspired me. I want to give everything away, so long as I can stay alive. But everyone tells me I'm crazy. it just seems logical to me that if I only need one kidney and have two to give one away. "What if something happens to the one remaining?" Well those who donate one get moved up the list in that case, donchaknow? plus that's not the issue atm. Take my liver! Take my brain! Take it all. I don't need it.
I believe in moral communism. I'm a sap.
@cute_sushi@xanga - I know that if you weigh <110 lbs., you're not supposed to.
I'm a registered organ donor(though I've had kidney stones so forget them) and have been on the bone marrow list for about a decade. I don't know if I could give away my organs while I'm still using them, but I hope that whatever happens to me, they go to good use to the next in line.
You are an amazing man.
May
Good on ya, mate.
@sonnigenmai@xanga - right back at ya!!
@Nous_Apeiron@xanga - thanks!
filling out more paperwork today...
Organ donation is the most selfless thing we can leave at the very last. We won't be around to worry about it, and for those who don't cremate, the body can be made to look every bit as whole for those who wish to say their goodbyes that way. It's not like when you say goodbye you are thinking about your loved one's liver, for goodness sake!