Organ Donor Awareness Week - April 17-23, 2011

[Andit]

As many of you know, I had a kidney/pancreas transplant a little over 8 years ago. Thanks to an amazing family who put aside their grief to donate their loved one's organs, I got a second chance at life.

Here's a little information about the awareness campaign for this year:

http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/page.cfm...2-3C7E070542ED

& if anyone is interested in becoming an organ donor, here is some info on how to go about it:

http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/Register...be%20a%20donor


I don't believe in being preachy & forcing my beliefs onto others. I do, however, wish to dispel a few myths that might discourage some from becoming donors. This website covers some of these myths, including faith beliefs & eligibility:

http://www.transplant.ca/pubinfo_orgtiss.htm


Please feel free to ask me any questions you like. No question is too personal for me to answer. I'd post pics of my war wounds, but I don't think those sorts of pictures are allowed on this site (one scar runs from just above my belly button south until it runs out of flesh ).

[madchives]

i agree with everything/anything to do with donating, andi,
does this mean NO photos of you? darn

which direction is south? ooopppsss think i figured it out,
well if you insist

[Sunnyg]

Thank you for the reminder, I just posted it on Facebook.

My MIL had a heart and liver transplant done three years ago and my cousin had a kidney transplant as a child. I am eternally grateful for both families' gifts of donating the organs of their loved ones.

[TaraF]

Thank you for letting us know! When I'm on my way out the Drs are allowed to have at whatever they can use!

Now, since you said questions are welcomed, I have one for you: Can someone that has/had cancer donate organs? I ask because I was informed that I couldn't donate blood due to having cancer but I couldn't previous to my diagnosis anyways because I'm diabetic. *Grr* But now I'm curious about organ donation.

Thanks!

[VeeVee]

Yes this is so important!
Like Andit my uncle had a kidney and pancreas transplant on Christmas Eve!

[Andit]

Now, since you said questions are welcomed, I have one for you: Can someone that has/had cancer donate organs? I ask because I was informed that I couldn't donate blood due to having cancer but I couldn't previous to my diagnosis anyways because I'm diabetic. *Grr* But now I'm curious about organ donation.

The answer is it depends. If the cancer has spread throughout to various organs, then most likely not, only because the organs are affected. If it is something like skin cancer or some other localized cancer, then yes. It also depends on how long ago the cancer treatments occurred.

There is also no age restriction. I believe the oldest donor was 94.

[madchives]

as some sc people, know i do kid about a few things,
however i remember stopping in the car after my mom died
and phoning my brother to ask - i know she had signed
her card but --- we assumed if anything was useful -
they would have been used.
figuring out later, i likely can't donate, and as my
mom had rhematic/scarlet fevers, she would not have been
able to, and yet i know she was hopeful that she could.

geee, and that was the short version - anyone know
a test, (guessing blood) - that would tell one
for sure if they can or can't donate?
would prefer looking at,,,,

[DiamondLil]

Would I be rejected from donating my organs due to illness or the medication I am taking? I have signed my donor card years ago and my husband knows of my intent on donating my organs if I am able. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and taking several meds as a result of it.

[Andit]

Would I be rejected from donating my organs due to illness or the medication I am taking? I have signed my donor card years ago and my husband knows of my intent on donating my organs if I am able. I have rheumatoid arthritis, and taking several meds as a result of it.

Maybe. The athritis would likely disqualify you from donating bones (it's not just organs that can be donated). Tissue may or may not be okay to donate, as well as eyes.

There is an exhaustive series of tests run on all potential donations, so it's not quite a black/white answer.

[feetfrown]

tks

[maggierocks]

I have to ask my doctor about donation... Right now I get phone calls to donate blood as I have a rare type. I am no longer able to because of the medication I am on. I too have donated "parts" not organs but legiments small in comparison to you..

I would love to return the favor soo I think I will get some clarification this week at the Doctors. I was going to donate everything and whats left can go to teaching!!! Training Doctors is so needed...

[TaraF]

Thanks for the answers to all of our questions Andit, they are appreciated.