Clearing up the wrong message
I would like to apologize for my
initial tease on this subject matter.
Due to my own misunderstanding, I thought that this edition’s message
would be focused on the difference between the rich and the poor. Instead, it is about the living and the dead.
More specifically, organ donations. A
big difference obviously, but an important issue nonetheless. Here is what I wish to share today, in this
season of giving.
Organ Donations
Thousands of people die
throughout the year, waiting for an organ transplant (116,000 are waiting for
an organ transplant[1]). And while this matter is a very sad affair,
what is equally sad is that many of those of us who die, don’t have to. What is equally sad, is that many of us who
have died have not committed to donating our organs upon death. Obviously, this is a very unusual topic for
Christmas, but then again, it couldn’t be a better time. It is a gift.
And it is a thing of value that if we can share with others, it
constitute in its own way, a means of sharing the wealth, of good health.
In this season of giving, this
would be a great time to prepare for our final gift in the event of our
untimely passing. If we have healthy
organs, there are literally thousands of men, women and children who can
possibly benefit from our eyes, our hearts, our kidneys, liver, our bones or
whatever organs that are in need throughout not only our communities, but
throughout the country.
Obviously, there are cultural
issues when it comes to donating organs from the deceased to the living. Those matters have to be addressed by the
various cultures, and may take years, if ever, to overcome. But there are number of cultures who see the
benefit of allowing a donation of an organ or tissue to someone who would
otherwise themselves die early, or suffer because of a lack of a healthy organ.
For those of us, the living, who
have been blessed to be able to see, or use our various organs throughout our
lives, there are those who, at this very minute would benefit greatly by so
selfless and act as to donate our organs upon our death.
If you have already arranged to
donate your organs upon death, know that your family can take pride in knowing
that one of your last and final acts was to give to others, by not only
prolonging their lives, but for you to also live on through the lives of
others.
Know too, that your act of
donation may not just benefit one person, it may benefit many (as many as 50 people
may benefit from one person’s organ donation[2]),
a true indication of the wealth you possessed, and the gift you will have made
to the benefit others.
I am not an expert on this
matter, but I have arranged for a donation upon my death. I don’t know who my gift may benefit, but it
doesn’t matter. It is my way of sharing
the blessings that I have received throughout my life.
If you would like to donate but
aren’t sure, here are a few questions and links for you to consider. Also below, is information on who, or how to
contact specific organizations that you may want to donate to in the event of
your death.
Myths and FAQ’s on Organ and Tissue Donation from various
organizations-
©
FAQ- What
is the cost?
©
FAQ-Can
anyone be a tissue donor?-
©
Myth-Rich and famous people go to the top of the
list when they need a donor organ.
o
Fact: The rich and famous aren't given priority
when it comes to allocating organs. It may seem that way because of the amount
of publicity generated when celebrities receive a transplant, but they are
treated no differently from anyone else. The reality is that celebrity and
financial status are not considered in organ allocation. (Mayo Clinic)[5]
©
Myth: Maybe I won’t really be dead when they sign
my death certificate-
o
Fact: Although
it’s a popular topic in tabloids, in reality, people don’t start to wiggle
their toes after they declared dead. In
fact, people who have agreed to organ donation are given more tests (at no
charge to their families) to determine that they’re truly dead than those who
haven’t agreed to organ donation.[6]
©
FAQ: If I have a previous medical
condition, can I still donate?
o
Fact-Yes! Transplant professionals will evaluate the
condition of your organs at the time of your death and determine if your organs
are suitable for donation. You should consider yourself a potential organ and
tissue donor, indicate your intent to donate on your driver's license, donor
card, or state donor registry, and discuss your decision with family members. [7]
Regifting
In this season
of giving, it’s not improbable that we are looking through our closets and
finding gifts that we were given at one time or another. Right now, we maybe looking at a gift that we
never opened, and are considering giving it to someone else. It’s someone nice, someone we may have
forgotten on our Christmas list, but don’t want to go back out in the crowd to
go shopping for them. So, we find a gift
that we never used, still in its new wrapping, but it has our name on it. So, what do we do? We re-wrap it, and re-gift it. The same can be said for the organs that we
have to donate. They are still in their
original wrapper. Depending on our age,
the organs could be as young as newborn to elderly. The important thing is that we are making a
donation of value to a stranger, or family member, and that gift demonstrates
to the highest, that we were in deed blessed enough to share the wealth of our
organs.
Over My Dead Body
Generally, to
say, “over my dead body” suggests that it’s not going to happen. Or, it suggests that you would forbid someone
from doing something, unless you were dead.
In this case, you are saying just the opposite. You are saying that by your passing, it is
okay to donate your wealth of healthy organs to help save someone else’s
life. In this instance, it is my hope,
that each of us will, the next time we renew our drivers’ licenses, that we
will check off the opportunity to donate our organs in the event of our
deaths. It will be that one time that
“over my dead body” will mean it’s okay, because you are sharing the wealth of
your organs.
Or, if you don’t
want to check off on your driver’s license, you may want to make special
arrangements, please contact one of the organizations that specialize in organ
procurement to be sure that your wishes are specifically, and respectfully
followed in the event of your passing.
In Louisiana ,
you can go to the website https://donatelifela.org/
to register. If in another state, you
can go to http://donatelife.net/ to
register and have your wishes followed.
In closing
Obviously, in
this season of giving, we most often want to focus on giving between the
living. Well, this topic is still giving
between the living. It preserves the
living that many of us will leave behind.
It is a tremendous opportunity to share the wealth of life, even in our
passing. Although we will have passed as
donors, the continuance of life through our donations will no doubt make a
tremendous number of the living very happy with our sharing any number of
organs that we can’t take with us. If
you have not considered donating, please give it a thought, and be blessed in
your decision. Pray about it. Discuss it
with your families, and/or discuss it with your physician. Discuss it with your lawyer, if you
must. Just know that your gift will be a
gift beyond measure.
Merry Christmas
and have a very Happy New Year from the Coveted Commandment Blog-Thou Shalt Build
Wealth.
[3] MusculoSkeleto Transplant Foundation- http://www.mtf.org/donor_faq.html?gclid=CKSUoarAybsCFTJo7AodOkMApQ
[5] Mayo Clinic Consumer Forum- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/organ-donation/FL00077
[7] Organ Donor.gov-http://organdonor.gov/faqs.html
