# do you carry a doner card?

Category: Let's talk

## Post 1 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Friday, 29-Apr-2005 6:55:41

well .. the subject title says it all. this morning on tv there was the wife of a guy who had died and, because he did not carry a doner card, she had to make the decision as to whether his organs could be transplanted or not. in fact, in this country, even if you do carry a doner card, your family can override that decision and choose for your organs not to be donated.
There are some who believe that you should have to opt out of organ donation rather than express a desire to donate your organs when you die - what do you all think? after all, they ain't exactly much use to you when you've gone, so why shouldn't organs be donated.

## Post 2 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Friday, 29-Apr-2005 8:29:36

I carry a card simply to relieve my loved ones from having to decide its selfish otherwise.

## Post 3 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Friday, 29-Apr-2005 8:50:28

yes I agree, however, if your family were against organ donation, they could override that decision, and despite the fact that you carry a doner card, they could refuse to allow your organs to be donated. In my personal view, I don't believe this should be allowed, after all, carrying a doner card expresses a personal wish to donate organs - why should anyone be allowed to override that?

## Post 4 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 9:01:45

they are all for it so no worries

## Post 5 by Resonant (Find me alive.) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 14:31:22

The topic came up with my immediate family a few years ago, and they all know my very emphatic wish for anyone to have any organs they want. They all feel more or less the same way, so I don't think there'd be any problem. As for those with family/loved ones likely to over-rule their decision, I don't think someone's personal wishes, clearly expressed, should be disregarded, no matter what. Just my two cents, Erin.

## Post 6 by Susanne (move over school!) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 16:49:30

Yes, I do. Actually, Ontario Health Cards give you the option to put your donor status right on the card, which makes it very convenient and easy. Great idea.

## Post 7 by Spanish Cloud (Veteran Zoner) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 17:27:04

Hi There. Sugarbaby, it seems that in Mexico things are exactly the same way as in England. Even if someone carries a doner card, the family can override the doner's decision. I think there should be an amendment to our law system regarding this, since I don't think the family should intervene when a person has decided to donate his/her organs. Another sad thing is that people are a bit ignorant about organ donation in this country. Many folks don't know that once one has died, one can help give life to a person who needs an organ. Fortunately this is changing for the better, since now there are lots of campaigns on tv urging people to be doners and explaining that once someone's dead, his/her organs are still very useful for another person.

## Post 8 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 17:37:11

I think there is a lot of ignorance surrounding organ donation, and I think a lot of people just don't think about it/bother to get a card. In my view, people should opt out of organ donation, rather than expressing a view to donate organs, that way maybe the doner register wouldn't be so small, if people can be so blasay as to not bother to register, I imagine there are a lot who wouldn't bother to opt out either. After all why shouldn't people donate their organs? it's not like they're any use to you once you're gone.

## Post 9 by 1800trivia (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Saturday, 30-Apr-2005 18:06:36

I agree that opting out, rather than opting in, would be best, and that the person's wishes should be fulfilled no matter what the family believes. I hope I can save a life through organ donation one day, and I want to donate the rest of my body to science.