Conference quark::human_relations-v1

    i dont know how consent for donation is done where you are
    but all we do is sign a part of our drivers licence
    and we can specify (if we wish) organs that can and 
    cant be taken 
    i suppose its the one thing you always carry with you 
    and if your in a fatal car accident there is no time lost
    
    reg
    

    I'm an organ donor.  Have been since I got my license.
    
    Heck - if I can't use 'em, I'm sure someone else can....and should get
    a chance to (I think about this every time a medical helicopter flies
    over Worcester at high speed on the way to UMass Med).
    
    -Jody

    Yes, in Mass. you can have a sticker put on your license to specify
    that you are an organ donor.  As stated in .1, it saves time if one
    is involved in a fatal accident.  I was at my SO's sons graduation
    last night and I just couldn't get the thought of Aaron out of my
    head.  As stated in .2, hell if I'm dead, I can't use them any more
    or if (and God forbid) anything happened to either of my sons, I would
    want someone else to have the opportunity to live if they were to die.
    What greater gift could you give than the gift of life!
    

    I would assume you have to sign up to be donor before having the
    sticker on your license? How do you sign up?
    

    re. .4
    
    At the time of renewing your licence, pick up and fill out the form.
    That's it! A little sticker on your licence is all you get, all you
    need.  They do ask that you have a witness sign the form, and you
    keep that little card in your wallet.  This is so that they know the
    nearest relative to contact and can contact the witness who will
    veryify your intention to donate organs.
    
    I'm a donor, and so far it feels great!

    I heard about Aaron's story on the Paul Harvey news at noon.  I think
    organ donation is wonderful ... by all means fill out the form at the time
    of license renewal.  However, I think it is equally important, if not
    moreso, to make note of your desire to donate in your will and to
    notify your family of your desires.  It is my understanding that their
    "consent" for removal of organs is needed at the time of your death. 
    That is a hard decision for some people to make so make your wishes
    known and heard often!
    
    Nancy

    Putting the desire to donate organs in your will can make the desire
    known too late:  i.e. after you are buried and your will is probated
    and read.
    
    There is a kind of pre-will that enables you to state preferences such
    as organ donation, funeral and burial wishes.  I forget what it is
    called.
    
    My father died about 18 years ago and when the doctor notified us
    (waiting in the hospital hallway) that he was gone, I asked about organ
    donation.  All that was in good enough condition to donate was his
    corneas and they were promptly used.  
    
    I have always carried an organ donor card (in fact, it was getting my
    first card and needing my parent's signature since I was a minor) that
    made me aware that my dad believed in organ donation.

	.6 sounds right to me...I once read that hospitals ignore
	those donor cards and ask the family.

	Dan

    First of all...some religions PROHIBIT organ donation...
    
    Second of all...please change the title of the topic.....this is not
    about my sister (read any sibling, friend, etc) coming of age and
    passing a rite of life, graduation, but about a personal choice that
    some will make and some will not...
    
    Please put this under a topic that is appropriate....not a place where
    folks will be congratulating those that have made it!
    

    re: .9
    
    1. Some religions prohibit organ donations, many do not.  Above all, it is
       a personal decision, no one is arguing that.
    
    2. The base noter decided that this topic was important enough to
       enter.  While many of us are celebrating graduations of our loved
       ones, the base author wanted us to reflect on those students who
       haven't, due to illness and disease and NOT due to a lack of desire
       for an education.
    
       If this is an emotional topic for you, NEXT UNSEEN and move on. 
       There are many Digital employees that haven't put much thought to
       how they can serve humanity after they're gone.  I believe this is
       a useful topic in this conference.
    
       Regards,
          Larry
                                             

    RE .10--THANKS!  You said it all perfectly.  I certainly did not intend
    to offend ANYONE, ANY religion, etc. 
    
    RE .9 -- I know it might be against certain people's beliefs, religion,
    whatever.  If that's the case, fine!  I was merely suggesting people
    give it some thought because I'll bet a lot of people never even
    considered it and not out of lack of concern, etc.  Just never thought
    of it--period.  I think the title is very appropriate because it is
    that time of the year when many of us are attending graduations or
    at least hearing about them all over the place.  As .10 stated, how
    lucky those of us are that have children who were able to graduate--
    many, many people are not that lucky because of something I feel is
    so unnecessary.  If you are annoyed or offended, I'm sorry.  I'm also
    sorry that you obviously could not find it in your heart to be a little
    more understanding or sympathetic.  We are talking about kids dying
    here and maybe something we could all do to prolong those lives!
     

    Re. 1019.11 by WMOIS::JETTE
    
    Title -<I'm alos a little surprised >-
    
    What is "alos" ? 

    Out of curiosity - does anyone know which religions disallow organ
    donations? And the reason?
    

    I believe some the tenets of Orthodox Judaism prohibit organ donation.
    
    					andrew