billable

To be an organ donor, fill out the online form here: https://secure2.convio.net/tlb/site/...ame=Sign_Me_Up

There is a severe organ shortage in this country. Despite continuing efforts at public education, misconceptions and inaccuracies about donation persist. It's a tragedy if even one person decides against donation because they don't know the truth. Following is a list of the most common myths along with the actual facts:


Myth: If emergency room doctors know you're an organ donor, they won't work as hard to save you.
Fact: If you are sick or injured and admitted to the hospital, the number one priority is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered after brain death has been declared by a physician. Many states have adopted legislation allowing individuals to legally designate their wish to be a donor should brain death occur, although in many states Organ Procurement Organizations also require consent from the donor's family.

Myth: When you're waiting for a transplant, your financial or celebrity status is as important as your medical status.
Fact: When you are on the transplant waiting list for a donor organ, what really counts is the severity of your illness, time spent waiting, blood type, and other important medical information.

Myth: Having "organ donor" noted on your driver's license or carrying a donor card is all you have to do to become a donor.
Fact: While a signed donor card and a driver's license with an "organ donor" designation are legal documents, organ and tissue donation is usually discussed with family members prior to the donation. To ensure that your family understands your wishes, it is important that you tell your family about your decision to donate LIFE.

Myth: Only hearts, livers, and kidneys can be transplanted.
Fact: Needed organs include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, and intestines. Tissue that can be donated include the eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and tendons.

Myth: Your history of medical illness means your organs or tissues are unfit for donation.
Fact: At the time of death, the appropriate medical professionals will review your medical and social histories to determine whether or not you can be a donor. With recent advances in transplantation, many more people than ever before can be donors. It's best to tell your family your wishes and sign up to be an organ and tissue donor on your driver's license or an official donor document.

Myth: You are too old to be a donor.
Fact: People of all ages and medical histories should consider themselves potential donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what organs and tissue can be donated.

Myth: If you agree to donate your organs, your family will be charged for the costs.
Fact: There is no cost to the donor's family or estate for organ and tissue donation. Funeral costs remain the responsibility of the family.

Myth: Organ donation disfigures the body and changes the way it looks in a casket.

Fact: Donated organs are removed surgically, in a routine operation similar to gallbladder or appendix removal. Donation does not change the appearance of the body for the funeral service.

Myth: Your religion prohibits organ donation.
Fact: All major organized religions approve of organ and tissue donation and consider it an act of charity.

Myth: There is real danger of being heavily drugged, then waking to find you have had one kidney (or both) removed for a black market transplant.
Fact: This tale has been widely circulated over the Internet. There is absolutely no evidence of such activity ever occurring in the U.S. While the tale may sound credible, it has no basis in the reality of organ transplantation. Many people who hear the myth probably dismiss it, but it is possible that some believe it and decide against organ donation out of needless fear.

__________________
Waiting list candidates 96,910
as of July 8 2007 at 4:23pm

dilworth

billable....I have to ask, do you or someone you love need a transplant?

My older sister gave her husband a living donation about 9 years ago. She gave him one of her kidneys. They told her she could/should never have children. They have 2 boys, 6 and 4. Now, because she has given birth twice and is healthy she has become part of a study to help others who give living gifts. Sadly, her husband passed last year, but without her donation he surely would have died many years earlier and not have been able to have the life they had or the children to remember him.

Become an organ donor.....imagine what you can offer another person. And even if it left you not looking so beautiful in your casket, is that really all that important? You will live on in someone else in an amazing way!

__________________

billable

My wife is on the list for a kidney at Vanderbilt in Nashville. She had a transplant in January of 1986. Has had 2 children since then. This transplanted kidney has now failed and she is on dialysis.

I tried to donate a kidney but we do not match. Then, I thought we had it worked out to trade with someone else. I would give them my kidney and their donor would give one to my wife. Turns out I have multiple stones in both of my kidneys and they won't let me donate.

Not much left for us to do now but wait. But, if someone had not donated their loved ones organs 20 years ago, my wife wouldn't be alive today.

A person dies every 90 minutes waiting for a transplant. Approximately 25% of the people on the waiting list will not live to get a transplant.

__________________
Waiting list candidates 96,910
as of July 8 2007 at 4:23pm

spraytannedjenn

here is a question i have been meaning to ask my oncologist can you be a doner if you have had Chemo and Radiation for cancer

billable

In general, people who have been diagnosed with or have a history of cancer are excluded from organ donation. However, under certain circumstances exceptions may be made in using organs from donors with a history of certain cancers. This is particularly true if the cancer was successfully treated many years ago, and there is no evidence it has recurred. In addition, some types of skin cancer and brain cancer almost always remain localized and don't spread. Some individuals with such cancers also may be acceptable organ donors.
According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of passing on cancer to an organ recipient is exceedingly small. However, there have been rare reports in the medical literature of this happening.

__________________
Waiting list candidates 96,910
as of July 8 2007 at 4:23pm

TanWorldOrder

I left the front door open one day and my organ was missing but the music was left behind.

dilworth

billable.....I truly hope your wife gets her kidney. I know my sister's husband had already had 2 transplants at the age of 30 and they would not put him on the list again. By chance my sister was an amazing match. I am not religous, but I do pray your wife will be okay..........your family is on my heart and mind....

__________________

bronzeman11

And to think i was starting to like you. Thats pretty messed up. But, we all still love you because thats not what you want.

__________________

dilworth

and I LOVE your avitar with the dancing kitty

__________________

bronzeman11

Hang in there bill.......you've certainly made me start thinking about it. Thank you & good luck.

__________________