For Anne (spiritdogs) & Mike - Come on everyone.

I can't claim real long standing status as a potential donor.  It was '98 or '99 when I was facing the surgery for my neck and the 2% chance of death.  I prepped a living will, a medical power of attorney and TALKED to my sons and DH so that everyone KNEW exactly what my wishes were.

As far as I know, I have been a donor since I got my license back in 1994.  I just heard on the news the other day though that in TX they now have a website where they keep up with it all now and this thread reminded me that I wanted to make sure that I had registered there so thank you for the reminder!  Hubby and I have discussed this many times and are aware of each other's wishes but registering it with the state of TX makes it more official instead of it just being what one person says verses another.  It is probably still up to my loved ones to carry out my wishes but taking the step to make it official just helps to show my committment even after I am  gone and can't speak for myself. 

My license has always had the donor box checked but I just went to the donatelife website and signed up there too.  Because it requires you to sign a form and have two witnesses sign also (and then you send it in), my loved ones will know of my wishes.

On a side note, when the Tari Schavo case happened, mom and I were discussing what we wanted in the event we are declared brain dead or need life support.  She sent me an email saying if I didn't pull the plug for her, she'd haunt me forever.  Point taken momma, thanks.  I printed the email and keep it with my 'important' papers.

 I'm not a donor. Not yet any ways. I don't have my DL either.. It's on a to do list.. *sigh*

glenmar

JUST having the designation on your DL isn't enough folks.  Unless your family knows of your wishes, in many states docs have to have the consent of the next of kin in order to harvest.  TELL someone close to you what your wishes are, and put it in writing as well.

I have been an organ donor for many years... I am glad you brought this up, I need to make sure it is written down somewhere!

I'm an organ donor!! 

I have told family (and on my driver's license) I want to be organ donor. Didn't think until I read this thread that I had to go out of my way to specify that in addition to any useable organs, help yourself to muscles, etc.

I also have been on marrow donor list for years.  Never called, but I guess not as much of a need for plain white girls as other ethnicities. I try to donate blood, platelets, etc. but honestly has been really hard with the two toddlers. I keep tellin the blood place if they ever have a event where one of those bounce house/kiddie gym places wears out my kids while I lay around and donate blood I'd be on it in a heartbeat. . . especially if they gave me a foot massage too. . .

I was in a pregnancy loss support group for a while and one of the noblest things I heard was a lady who got told her fetus had some condition incompatible w/life outside of uterus. She elected to finish her pregnancy, prior to being induced, newborns in need of various organs were assembled at the hospital. THe baby was born and all possible organs harvested so that other babies could live. The story still brings tears to me.

Agnes

Agnes L.

I was in a pregnancy loss support group for a while and one of the noblest things I heard was a lady who got told her fetus had some condition incompatible w/life outside of uterus. She elected to finish her pregnancy, prior to being induced, newborns in need of various organs were assembled at the hospital. THe baby was born and all possible organs harvested so that other babies could live. The story still brings tears to me.

Agnes

Wow, talk about a true act of kindness. I hope I'd do the same thing under those circumstances, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. Hopefully it helped ease her pain though to know that she'd probably helped to save another babies life.

I'm a donor too.  I have the little pink dot on my CDL but I'm thinking maybe I should actually have it written down somewhere.

Joyce

As I said, my instructions are included in both my living will and my medical power of attorney.  And every family member who could possibly have any say in my medical care KNOWS that this is my wish and they danged well better do it or I will come back and haunt them!

There are so many reusable parts of the human body, that are basically just going to get burned up or stuck in a box in the ground, and I don't know for certain if they just assume that they can take what they need or they need specific permission for skin and long bones and stuff like that.

When I went thru Drivers Ed, a women came in and told us a stroy about her son.....he died in a car reck, and she chose to donate his organes.....we all got "Donate Life" keychains and were told how to become a doner....I've kept that keychain on my keys as a daily reminder to myself...it's not official, but I've told my Mom, and once I get my license, it will be 'official'...NC has the heart too.

Myra

Ayakia

I have been an organ donor for years, it plainly shows that on my driver's license, a little red heart.

Ditto.  My family also all know of my wishes.

Me too.

cakana

Agnes L.

I was in a pregnancy loss support group for a while and one of the noblest things I heard was a lady who got told her fetus had some condition incompatible w/life outside of uterus. She elected to finish her pregnancy, prior to being induced, newborns in need of various organs were assembled at the hospital. THe baby was born and all possible organs harvested so that other babies could live. The story still brings tears to me.

Agnes

Wow, talk about a true act of kindness. I hope I'd do the same thing under those circumstances, but it certainly wouldn't be easy. Hopefully it helped ease her pain though to know that she'd probably helped to save another babies life.

How heartbreaking for that lady.... that is the most selfless thing I have ever heard of anyone doing, ever. 

I'm definitely a donor. My friends and family know my wishes, but i do not have an advance directive at the moment.