Think about it. (Organ removal and donation)

Member Name: Cattycat

Product:	Organ removal and donation
Date:	19/06/01 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Help others, Help grieve, Hope in tragedy

Disadvantages: Bad publicity, Guilt, Fear

I am an intensive care nurse and, therefore, regularly work in situations where organ donation and retrieval is a real issue. And my experience is a highly positive one, and I myself am on the organ donation register so if I should die I could give hope to others.

I remember as a child asking my mother what organ donor cards were as they seemed to be everywhere - the bank, the supermarket, the train station ... but she was always reluctant to tell me. So one day, when I was about 8 years old, I picked one up and filled it in. My mum went mad when she found out and tore it up ... but she had to tell me about it all. She said she didn't want me to have one, it was barbaric, unethical, and I wasn't to have one.

When I was training to be a nurse I met many people who were recipients of organs and they were so incredibly grateful, and told me that they would be dead if wasn't for their new organs. So, I decided again to put myself down as a donor. I discussed it with my mum, who again tried to talk me out of it.

But I asked her a question that had a profound effect .... what would you do if I needed an organ transplant? She was silent and upset, and admitted that if I needed a transplant she would want me to accept. So I replied that in order to receive organs surely you should be prepared to give. She agreed.

Now am a qualified, experienced nurse I work closely with families who see their loved ones go for organ donation, and all I can say is that it is an amazing gift to give. From one person so many can be helped - from a tragic situation, hope can bloom for so many others. And many, not all, feel more able to cope with the bereavement knowing that some good has come out of it.

I also give high praise to those who organise organ donation - the 'transplant co-ordinators', often trained as nurses themselves. When someone has been pronounced brain-stem dead, and is for organ donation, these people take over
their care ... and believe me they are well-cared for throughout the whole process.

Shortly after the organ donation, the nurses who look after the patient receive letters of thanks and details of how the organs have been used. The relatives also receive close contact and support from the transplant team.

I understand that for some people organ donation is a concept that is against their beliefs and values, which healthcare professionals accept and understand. I personally feel it is an amazing gift, and I hope that if I should die I too can help save others, and give comfort to my family in times of tragedy.

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