Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Just wanted to hear feelings about organ donor registry and how many people are registered or will not register. I know it's the right thing to do and I am currently renewing my license. For the first time I'm thinking about doing it. Maybe because I am getting older - have a child - just have a different perspective now so I am considering it. But I have that myth in my head how doctors won't try as hard to save your life when they learn you are a donor. I know it can't be true so why do I think about that?? But then I think about the lives that could be saved and I would want the same for my family members or friends if they were on a transplant list. It's all just so hard to think about, but it's also reality.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

That's absolutely not true. I am an organ doner.

ETA if someone is in the hospital in an emergency situation where doctors are treating said person and trying to save their life NO ONE is asking to find out if their an organ doner.

In emergency situations the doctors don't even know your name or even if you have insurance!

If someone is in a coma or life support their next of kin dictates further action/and or whatever wishes you have written down in your will like DNR or organ donation.

Message edited 3/29/2017 1:26:44 PM.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

My family knows my wishes to be an organ donor. I don't see the need to have it on my license.

My Mom had cancer, but made us aware that she wanted to be the only kind of organ donor she could - which was her corneas. It was awesome to receive a letter from the Lion's Club that two people in the NYC area received her corneas and were doing great.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I'm a donor. In my family we all are. My sister's boyfriend is a 2-time heart transplant recipient. Without donors he would not be alive.

I was always skeptical like you are. It wasn't until my sister started dating her boyfriend and hearing his story and then having to watch him wait and suffer and live in the hospital for over a month hooked up to machines and numerous IVs pumping him full of medicine that was keeping him alive while waiting for a match... Once I lived that side of the process, specifically through my sister, I immediately registered.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I am. I'm not going to need them once I'm dead so why not save some lives? And I'm not worried at all about the myth of dr.'s not trying as hard to save my life if I'm ever in an accident because it's just that, a myth.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I'm registered - I don't really care what happens to my body when I'm dead. I won't need it anymore.

I think all I can donate are my eyes because I had cancer a few years ago. I also have situs inversus (organs are a mirror image of where they should be) so even if I could donate my organs, they wouldn't be on the proper side. Zoinks!

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I am a registered donor. Doctors do not check your drivers licence before treating you in an emergency situation. In the event of a tragic or sudden death the attending in the ER will ask your family if you are a registered donor after you die or if you are on life support right before you are removed this is very hard for some people to handle. When my brother died suddenly it would have been much easier in my parents if he was a registered donor- having to make the choice and answer the extensive list questions required was very stressful for my parents a couple of hours after losing their son. Had he been a registered donor it would have made the process a little easier.

Message edited 3/29/2017 2:47:50 PM.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Please. It's a myth plain and simple. Saving you is JUST as important as saving someone who needs a heart. They are NOT going to "try less" in hopes of harvesting your organs. It's just not done.

Plus even if you are a donor they will still get family to agree. So just because it's on your license does NOT mean it's automatic.

And yes. The ER doc is not looking at your license before treating you. They will do everything in their power to save you.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Ok. Just got off the phone with my friend the emergence room doctor. He told me it's actually the opposite of the urban legend. If they know someone is a good candidate for organ donation)Baden on age, health etc) and they come to the ER really bad then the doctors will work hard to keep you alive.

The ER is not in the business of calling time of death, so to speak. They will keep you alive and ship you upstairs to be evaluated. So in fact they will work harder to make sure you stay alive in case you come out of it. Or if you don't that you are in a position to donate.

Urban myth busted.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Myth or no, I won't take the chance.

My DH and family know my wishes.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I am an organ donor and so is Dh.

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I'm an organ donor and it's pretty much a no brainer for me. My DH always fought me on this because he had that nosensical mentality until his cousin passed away. His aunt donated her organs and she saved the lives of three people.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Thank you to everyone who responded, especially those who shared their personal stories. I have decided to be an organ donor. Now that I'm a Mom I think differently, and the idea of giving life to someone's parent or child is such a beautiful thing. Of course I hope to never have to do this, but who knows what life will bring.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Most people don't have an open dialogue with their family about their wishes to be an organ donor. My thought is that if it's in your License and are registered they will be aware of your wish and make a decision based on that. My son who is 3 was lucky enough to get a partial liver transplant from his dad, my husband last year. New York is terrible as far as not having enough donors. If he had to wait for a deceased donor he would proabably wait for about 6 years. He was sick but not sick enough according to numbers to have a high enough score to receive an organ in a timely manner. So many people die waiting for organs. So as a mom of someone who was in that situation and not knowing what the future holds as far as needing another, Thank you for being organ donors!

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

So glad you decided to register. I think everyone should! I've been a donor for probably over 10 years now... what better way to make a lasting impression than being able to help others live on...

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

DW and I are registered. As a diabetic, I'm not sure what they'll be able to use, but I'll let the doctors figure that out...

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I have it on my license. I don't believe the myth, don't really want to think about it even.

Dd is alive and healthy bc of a blood transfusion she got at birth. It definitely makes me all the more committed to donating blood. I can only imagine the gift organ donation is for recipients and their families.

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

I've never heard that myth before haha. Glad you decided to do it!

Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal

Like someone else said, how would they even know if you are an organ donor? They don't look at your license in an emergency situation. So weird!

Re: Organ donor registry - drivers license renewal