[Burntmarshmallow]

I posted this question in another room here at Neuro Talk I with luck will link this to.
I wonder how many readers and posters are Organ Donors?
and also the question
Is medical equipment like knee implants , pacemaker batteries, and such like my neuro stim I have for facial pain are those thing able to be donated to another ???
now is the link to other post... Please go read and join in.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=7536
Thanks so much for any thoughts input and Ideas.
Burntmarshmallow

[OneMoreTime]

Our state has a place that can be filled in on the driver's license before it is assembled and laminated.

MORE IMPORTANT is for whoever has the power of attorney to make decisions for you will be the one to say Yes, go ahead ... or NO WAY. So select the person you choose to sign papers with with care -- if it a parent or spouse, I don't know what kinds of rights you had and presume it will vary with the state you live or die in.

Yes, I am a potential donar.

As to whether implanted to devices can be recycled -- I think the chances are GREAT if they can get into the hands of those companies that market these to poor nations like in Africa and elsewhere. You would have to check out such things with your attending physicaian and with the hsospital. I COULD see where a particular policy could forbid it as a general rule. If you find out more, please let us know.

Teri

[Wittesea]

I believe strongly in organ donation and blood donation.

I am an organ donor. I would be a blood donor but they will not allow me because I do not weigh enough for their standards. I used to be a blood donor when I weighed more.

My state also has a place on the drivers license to designate me as an organ donor, but I do not have it on my license because I do not want it there... and because in my state the thing on the license is just for show - they can not and will not do anything without the permission of the next of kin. So to me, it seemed pointless to have it on my license.

I have a very intricate will that includes a living will, information about my wishes for organ donation and my wishes on who makes medical and legal decisions on my behalf. It's complicated, but I have numerous lawyers in my family so it is family tradition for us to complicate everything

Long story short - my husband has all power and decision making authority. There are provisions for who gets that authority if he is also incapicated or dead... it is complicated in part because I needed to keep my psycho-mother out of the equation and away from any decision making power.

But my wishes to be an organ donor is in the paperwork, and I have made my wishes clear to my family so they know what to do if they can't find the paperwork

[Lara]

Hi Burntmarshmallow. Interesting question. I hadn't thought about that before. I have no idea if medical equipment that's been implanted can be transplanted.

I do wonder about the legal ramifications that might be involved. I would imagine that there would be something written in law somewhere about this. I just think that the companies who make the actual equipment might have concerns about equipment failure and what might follow. Just my thought.

____________

Australia:

"As the peak national body for the organ and tissue donation for transplantation, Australians Donate is funded by the Australian, State and Territory governments."
www.australiansdonate.org.au

All Talk No Action

Australians Donate - Media Release.
11 September 2006
All talk, no action
A national survey shows 94 per cent of Australians say they support organ and tissue donation yet only 30 per cent register.
The key findings of the survey were:
-94 per cent of Australians support organ and tissue donation
-One in four Australians had not made their wishes known about organ and tissue donation to anyone
-42 per cent of Australians said they didn’t know where to go for information about organ and tissue donation

The main reason cited for not having registered included:
-Not having thought about it
-Being ‘too busy’ to register their consent
-Not knowing how to register

How to register
Australian Organ Donor Register forms may be obtained at any Medicare office in Australia, or by calling 1800 777 203 or from www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
or online at
http://www.australiansdonate.org.au/

[californiaDana]

To be a donor but that wont last too much longer. I cant drive. But I hope if somethings happens to me they would want my organs.

Dana

[Burntmarshmallow]

Lara You reply is great with info and all Thanks big hugs from me to you.(( )))

Wit intresting point about the sticker on drivers lie. they can olny do the ... harvesting if the next of kin gives the okay.I was in bad accident with a semi slamming into me from behind a few years ago and died 2 times on way to hosp. so Now the sticker will tell them be careful with me ...I hope and they just have to call to comfirm next of kin.

One More Time I have a neuro stim implant I have been told it is to experimental to do any such thing. But MY HOPE IS THERE!!!!!!!!!If I learn anything I sure will pass it all along here.
THANKYOU ALL FOR POSTING this meens so much to me to get others ideas and thoughts. Thanks for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!! Bless all of yous
Burntmarshmallow----Tina

[heyjude5050]

HI,
I have it on the back of my license and I have also filed a pamphlet called " Five wishes."
This also has my wish to be a organ donor, plus many of my wishes on DNR, who is to make decisions, lots of things that will take the pressure off of my sons.
I am also on the donor marrow donor list. I would be honored to be called to give marrow to someone who needed it. I have been accepted for almost 5 years and have never gotten a call. I sometimes wonder why????
I think it is important for everyone to have their affairs in order when in comes to our own personal feelings on what we want if we are not able to speak for ourselves. Mine is notarized and i have a copy. My hospital has a copy and it can be faxed to any hospital I may be in if it is ever needed.
Judy

[heyjude5050]

I work in a hospital surgical suite and I do not believe that implanted devises of any kind can be reused. If there is even the slightest break in the packaging of any of our joint replacements, pacemakers, etc they are discarded immediately and I am happy to say at no cost to the patient.....

With MRSA and VRE no chances are taken with anything that comes in contact with a patient who is having a invasive procedure.
Antibiotic resistant organisms is a term that is become all too familiar in this world today.
Have a good evening,
Judy

[Burntmarshmallow]

50/50 I Posted back to you on the other thread. Today bad day pain wise ... Thanks very much for posting your thoughts and your knowlege ! It is much appreciated .

[Lara]

Please note...

My post is about brain
banks so if anyone might
find that distressing in
any way, please
don't continue
reading
my post.

thanks,
Lara.

_______


Something else I was thinking about that I didn't mention the other day... It might seem morbid talking about all this but I just wanted to mention the Brain Bank.

The Tourette Syndrome Association, U.S.A., for example, has information for people who might wish to make the very personal decision of donating to the Brain Bank in the interests of research. This is called the TSA Brain Bank Program. I know this is different from organ donation from a person to another person, but it is something people don't always realize is possible.

In recent years there has been a fair bit of research looking into the similarities between tic disorders and Sydenham's Chorea (a condition that affects movement of the body in some people following Rheumatic Fever). One of the problems with some of this research is that conditions like Sydenham's Chorea are not as common in this day and age as they used to be say pre 1950's, so basically there is very little actual brain tissue which can be used for research. That's just one example I was thinking about, but there are many more.

I am aware of a number of other organizations and associations who have similar programmes running similar to the one with the TSA-USA. There are obviously many ways we can all participate in research while we're living, but I just wanted to mention the brain bank as I know it's something that had never crossed my mind (excuse the reference) until I learned about it via a health organization.

"Why Study the Brain?
The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (HBRC)[www.brainbank.mclean.org] is located at McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA and is a centralized resource for the collection and distribution of human brain specimens for research. The center is dedicated to providing brain tissue for the study of a variety of brain-based behavioral disorders. http://www.tsa-usa.org/images/BB1x.pdf

There is also more information at The Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Centre