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This blog is brand new to me, I'm not even entirely sure how I found her. But could there be many more important conversations to have with our loved ones?
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And if you haven't, have you considered how you would feel about organ donation if it was your life hanging on the line? Meet Cam, a woman (amazingly crafty, btw - I love her stuff), who has been placed on the waiting list for a double-lung transplant. She has known for more than a decade that this day was coming, but it is here, now. And all she can do is wait.
Did you know that while 98% of Australians believe organ donation is important and can save lives, we have one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world? That only around half of Australians know what the wishes are of their loved ones? That moment when your loved one is on life support is not when you want to be making this decision. When your world is falling apart and your heart is splitting open is not when you want to try to figure out what they would have wanted.
Talk about it today. Tonight. And if you are interested in registering as an organ donor, go here. In Australia, family consent is always sought before organ donation goes ahead, even if you have already stated your wishes. So make sure that the people in your life know your wishes. Don't leave them guessing.
And head on over to Cam's blog and wish her the best.
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Edited: I just went and registered online. It took less than 2 minutes. A letter will be sent to me for my signature. It's a conversation Joel and I have had a hundred times (he is not as adamant as I about organ donation, he doesn't know where he stands, but he knows where I stand). It feel soooo good to finally be on that list.
CurlyPops: The Transplant Waiting List: So today is the official day. 31st August 2011 - the day that I join the active waiting list for a double lung transplant . I was diagn...
Ooh, I never even thought about the children...
ReplyDeleteI'm the same - I want to donate, Ben's not 100% sure. Although it would ultimately be my choice, lol :P
I'm on the list - It's something that is really important to me :)
ReplyDeleteIt's an important discussion to have. On a slightly different but related note. I read an article saying that the hospital system is actually at capacity re transplants wise. That even if the amount of donors hugely increased that there is not enough operating rooms, doctors and money for the amount of transplant operations they do to increase
ReplyDeleteI've never discussed this with my husband, but definately something that we will have to talk about at one stage. I think we just dont think its going to happen to us, but you just never know!
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much for sharing my story Melissa (and for doing it so much more eloquently than me)!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate - that story was just a media scare story to try to increase hospital funding. The Alfred Hospital only performs an average of 1 lung transplant per week. They could help so many more people if there were more donors available.
I have had a donor card for years, I have let all my family know my wishes. While my hubby does not have a card, I know he wishes me to say yes if asked. We need more donors and what better way of leaving a healing and helping legacy behind when we die. They are no use to use then.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to have a chat to talk about this with our family. Thanks so much. N x
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