Organ Donor...???'s

[rose4cale]

I am starting to take a real interest in becoming an organ donor myself and promoting organ donation. I have a question though...

Do you know if I am an organ donor, can I specify that my lungs go to say any CF patient and NOT someone such as a smoker with self inflicted bad lungs? I called a local office but they weren't positive but thought not. I am hoping they are wrong!!

 

[Purplelungz]

I have heard of people doing so. Now that doesnt mean when you die and they take the organs they lie about where they are going to save a life, selfinflicted problems or not. From what I am told the organ procurment team doesnt know who the organs are going to. They just know where to pick them up, and where to take them. But I am curious as well about this.

 

[julie]

Maybe put it in your will?

 

[supermanfan]

It is true the organ procurment team doesn't know who the organs are going to be given to, but I have heard of people writing in their will a specific place, and person they want their organs to go to. The only problem there is what is that your organs might not be a match for anyone with CF or another genetic lung condition, yet they can save a smoker. I guess what you have to ask yourself is, "Would I not want to help save that person's life regardless if they smoked and ruined their lungs by choice?"

I personally have an issue with smokers being put on the transplant list to begin with... especially after all the warnings, and notices about how smoking can cause cancer, and how it can kill you. But any person in the medical profession ethically isn't allowed to pick and choose his/her patients. They are there to save lives regardless of what the person did in life.

 

[rose4cale]

I appreciate your input, and Julie for some reason I never thought about my will! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

To answer supermanfan: If there was no match to first a CF patient, and then someone else with a genetic illness, then yes, of course, the lungs could then go to someone like a smoker. IMO tho, I would much rather someone be saved that couldn't help their position vs. someone who brought their problems on like a smoker. I understand there are lung cancer patients who were never smokers as well. I would feel better prioritizing my preferences first. The office I talked to tried to assure me a young genetic patient would be higher on the list then say a 60 yr old smoker.

FYI...My Mother's entire family were/are smokers. My sisters were smokers. I never have been nor will be. My sisters both quit, however my Mother and Mom In Law still smoke. <img src="i/expressions/brokenheart.gif" border="0"> And as strong as this may sound, I would still rather save an 'innocent' patient.

 

[julie]

I would have to agree with your position. My brother in law and father in law both smoke, and I would much rather have my organs go to a complete stranger with a genetic problem than to them. It's the principle of it-I don't think you are alone in your thinking (just wanted to show support!)

 

[rose4cale]

Thanks Julie! I feel so strongly about this! I love my family and my Mother in law so so very much! But they know what they are doing to themselves, and then I look at the young and innocent, like Cale and so many others here and I instantly get mad at them for smoking! When I became pregnant to begin with 'they were going to quit for the baby' and it never happened. 2 kids and a diagnosis later and they both still smoke! AGH!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif" border="0">

 

[thefrogprincess]

You can state in your will that if you were to die and your lungs were usable that you want them to go to a CF patient (even a specific person if you know you are compatable). However, if a compatable tx patient with CF cannot be found your lungs would go to the most in need person who is compatable. This is also how you can donate a kidney to a relative. There are actual legal documents you have to sign to donate to a specific person. Otherwise they would go to the person most in need.

 

[anonymous]

I suppose something to note if you are so specific is that you do not want your lungs going to a CF patient who smokes either. I know several of them and one who had a transplant. Honestly I was sort of furious that they were given one, as they smoked pretty much up until the actual surgery.

 

[Allie]

I have it well known and stated in my will and noted on my medical notes ( I made my doctor do this) That I want my body parts going to people who DID NOT cause their own problem. I didn't specify CF, just any illness that is genetic or otherwise random.

I am a full donor, who hopes if some tragedy befalls me (god forbid) that my lungs will be useable.

 

[anonymous]

I agree on the smoker thing. I wonder what the statistics are on smokers that pick up smoking again even with the new transplanted lungs--<i>that</i> would make me mad--knowing that the lungs I provided were being abused (not that I could do anything about it since I obviously died!)<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

 

[supermanfan]

rose4cale... I agree with you. Like I said, I personally have an issue with folks that got cancer from smoking being on the transplant list.

I think if they mark the box 'yes' for Have you ever smoked? and they have been long time smokers then they shouldn't put on the transplant list... but since other people don't see it like that, and people can smoke, ruin their lungs, and have a transplant doctors will continue to help them regarless <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">