Organ Donor cards & WG

**Deanne Hull** · 06-28-2010, 09:27 PM

Hi Jack, my dad and step mother are going to donate their bodies to science and have put that in their wills. I am not exactly thrilled with the idea but it is their wishes and I respect that. I have spoken to other members of the family and they all agree that it is a good idea and I have a son who is studying lab medicine and you need to have bodies to learn with. So they can go on and perhaps find a cure for something and help other people. Maybe find a cure for Wegs!

**Jack** · 06-28-2010, 09:44 PM

It is a thought isn't it?
I've spoken to my wife and she is OK with the idea so I think I'll raise it with the rest of the family.
I've looked into it a little and it seems that you have to arrange it first with your local medical school to see if they want you. There is then a form to be filled in and witnessed.

**Hammy8241** · 06-29-2010, 02:13 AM

Ok guys, I got an answer to my question today.

Dear Paul

Thank you for your recent email to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Having an existing medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ or tissue donor. In the event of your death, a decision about whether some or all organs or tissue you have chosen to donate are suitable for transplant or not will be made by specialist healthcare professionals, taking account of your medical history. Usually, but not always, it is possible for some organs or tissues to be donated. You have made your wishes clear and this is the most appropriate action that you can take at this time.

Being HIV positive and having or being at risk of having CJD are the only automatic exclusions to donation.

With this in mind I see no reason why your name should not remain on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

It is very kind of you to consider the needs of others in the event of your own death and the benefits which organ donation brings to those waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant.

Kind Regards

Rebecca Evans
Organ Donor Register Assistant
ODR
Organ Donation and Transplantation

**Sangye** · 06-29-2010, 02:48 AM

Jack and Deanne, in Chiropractic school we have to do the same anatomy coursework as medical students, including a year of gross anatomy--cadavers. Each trimester a group of 6 students was assigned to one cadaver. I was very fortunate to have 3 cadavers to study who'd had major medical problems. One woman was completely packed with cancer. Another had had extensive lung and GI surgical interventions--everything was rerouted or missing. Anyway, it was very useful studying anatomy that had been altered because that's what we encounter in the real world. I'm grateful that they offered their bodies for science.

My understanding was that in the US cadavers are not used in the region of their origin. You wouldn't want to be dissecting someone you recognize.

**Jack** · 06-29-2010, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by Sangye

My understanding was that in the US cadavers are not used in the region of their origin. You wouldn't want to be dissecting someone you recognize.

It seems to be the oposite here. They prefer a local medical school in order to minimise the time and cost involved in transfer.
If I take it that far, I'll probably start by asking at the hospital I attend.

**Carly Hedge** · 07-14-2010, 12:16 AM

When I spoke to my Rheuma when I was diagnosed, I inquired about the whole donor thing because I strongly believe in it and have organ donor on my driver's license plus have donated blood in the past. She told me no- I can't donate no longer because of my condition and the treatments my body has and will go through. Broke my heart but what can ya do? I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

**Jack** · 07-14-2010, 12:38 AM

I'm still pursuing the idea of donation to medical science. I've spoken to my family and they are all OK with it and I've been in touch with the local medical school who are sending information and a consent form to me. However, there seem to be quite a few conditions that have to be met before they will take you and each case is considered on an individual basis. Wegener's does not automatically rule you out, but an autopsy would so alternative arrangements may have to be made at the time.

**Carly Hedge** · 07-14-2010, 12:41 AM

I was thinking about doing that also. I know my father will be donating his body to science even though he doesn't have this condition. It's a nice alternative so we can help people currently and in the future.