picture stolen from Jamie's blogAre you an organ donor? It's no fun to really think about this issue but I can't tell you how important it is. My friend Jamie has had two kidney transplants in her short life and really needs another but the risks are too high this time. While I've never told her this, she is one of the bravest people I know. She is a beautiful, funny, upbeat and positive person. And most important she is living her life. Here's a brief, brief background. We met in college. Jamie was my suitemate and roommate to my other friend, Shannon. By our senior year the three of us shared an apartment and Jamie was dating our high school buddy Ryan. A few years later Jamie and Ryan were married and are today living happily in Austin.
Jamie posted some great information on organ donation a couple of months ago and I've been meaning to link to it. So here it is. I highly recommend taking a look. Love ya' Jamie!!!
4 comments:
Awwww, thanks Bug!! Love you, too. Hope you are still feeling well and that little bug isn't giving you too many problems :)
Wow, Dave. I don't know you; and while I appreciate your strong opinions on organ donation, I disagree with your organization. I don't know anything about LifeSharers except what you have shared, but it sounds like a private organ harvesting club. Out of fairness I will look into the organization so that I can form a more educated opinion but like I said before, from what you have shared, it doesn't sound like something I want to be associated with.
I think there is a reason for prioritizing organ donations based on medical need and not out of spite. Yes, I think it's a tragedy that more people aren't organ donors but I think the key is education and awareness, not private organizations that play "tit-for-tat" with regard to human life.
I encourage everyone to educate themselves on the importance of organ donation and let their family know their wishes.
I'm going to stay neutral on Dave's organization.
What I can say is that it is INCREDIBLY important that you communicate to your family and loved ones your intention to share your organs now, while you're healthy. Marking a box on your driver's license doesn't guarantee that the hospital will follow your wishes. They require family permission.
Families going through a traumatic and sudden death (where many organs come from) may not want to agree to such a request. So your communication on the issue is key.
My wife is alive today in part because an anonymous person from Utah let their loved ones know their wishes. So please consider the lives you're saving, and have that talk.
Um, sorry Dave - I can't agree with your position for many reasons, but one flaw I need to point out is that many people, myself included, are suffering organ failure as a result of a blood disorder - rendering their other organs unsuitable for transplant.
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