Let's talk organs and donation.
 

On another thread, the topic of organ donation has been raised, so, to avoid hijacking that thread, let us continue here.

I marked this thread with a trigger because this can be a very sensitive, emotional topic for some folks. Let's please try to avoid making this a question of morals, personal ethics, or faith of any kind. Thanks, this thread may be a great service to many individuals.

Multiple sclerosis is the first condition we began discussing; there is some question as to whether MSrs can donate organs, blood, bone marrow, tissue, eyes, or bones.

The United Network for Organ Sharing: I believe this is a USA organization only.
http://www.unos.org/

In their Q&A, is this passage:

"Are there age limits or diseases that rule out organ donation?

For any death where organ donation is a possibility and consent is given, there will be a medical assessment of what organs can be recovered. There are no absolute age limits to organ donation. A handful of medical conditions will rule out organ donation, such as HIV-positive status, actively spreading cancer (except for primary brain tumors that have not spread beyond the brain stem), or certain severe, current infections. However, for most other diseases or chronic medical conditions, organ donation remains possible.

Unfortunately, many people never indicate their wish to donate because they believe, falsely, that their age or medical condition would not allow them to donate. If you want to save and enhance lives through donation, the most important action you can take is to share your donation decision; if donation is not medically feasible, that determination will be made at the time of death."

I will continue to seek answers to blood and bone marrow donation for MSrs. All others are most certainly welcome to offer any input!

I would like to see if any one would like my brain for research. I am thinking of asking my neuro for assistance on this.

I read an intresting issue about a man needing a kidney transplant and was not allowed to be cause he used M.J. ..he was advisied by his doc to use it for his condition to help him eat and keep it down and ease the pain he had..but was not allowed to get new kidney because he used .I found this kinda shocking and didnt realize that using can be considered an easy way to have organ rejection? and did not realize that one can be taken off list because of under doc orders he or she use M.J.? so hummm on that. can one not be allowed to donate if they use M.J. if one can not be allowed to recieve?????
And too I have asked about medical implanted devices being donated. Like my stimulator and or battery and learned most of time they just trash it after. seems a waste too.
anyways thanks for this new thread AMN will be lurking and following this one. ;) I am organ donor and so is my 17 yr old but d.h. is not but should be , guess thats what is great about the U.S.A. freedom of choice :) and choice of freedoms.
PEACE
BMW p.s. I started a thread about organ donation about a year ago here may hook my link to this if that is okay ..naww maybe will just p.m. you it AMN
well heck I will do both and hope I dont step on toes ....
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...organ+donation
but I know this thread you have here now AMN is leading in a diffrent direction then the link i just posted... so PLEASE ya all reply with input ....
T.Y.

I would to Taffy and I don't think it would be hard to do.. Since I was a nurse I want to give anything they can use.It just makes me feel peaceful,
to be able to donate my eyes anything they can use. Hugs to all Sue

Absolutely, Twippy! Here:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/res...nks/index.aspx

We were told this year that Jim could donate and that the rules had changed. But, I posted in the other thread that I, as well as Jim and Chris were apparently exposed to mad cow disease in Germany back in 1989 and cannot donate blood. So, my question is, if we can't donate blood, how can we donate organs? I think I need to call and ask.

Ah...now I see, Sandy...exposed to Mad Cow. That explains a lot! You know I'm just joshing you. You know this is said with a gentle elbow to the ribs.

The main point I wanted to make was that up in Oregon and Washington it was recently announced on the news that people who used marijuana, even with a medical MJ card, were being denied access to the organ recipient waiting list. Not sure of the "logic" in this. Sounds like if one needs a kidney, liver, or any organ transplant and has used marijuana, either legally or illegally, is denied.

Doesn't make sense to me. It's not a state law thing. I think it's a medical community thing. An HMO conspiracy? Who knows? Another instance of big brother deciding what's best for us, I suppose.

******
Most of the people I knew who ever did MJ in school would lie. Who could prove otherwise. Doctors know (House told me!!) "People lie".

This was a topic on another myasthenia gravis board too... about if those with severe auto-immune diseases can donate... I have on my license to donate and my husband knows... but frankly wonder after all 12 of my operations (and I am forbidden to give blood for a platelet disfunction) what they can take that is useful but I want to help out.
Those that called the donations places actually got contradicting opinions - some said they would take, some said they would not. I don't really think they know which is a bit scary.

It actually goes to transplant rejection, Steve. There is evidence to support the theory that smoking weed can increase the chances of rejection of the new organ.

That's what I'm hoping to accomplish with this thread, Rumpled, is there a definitive authority? A nationwide standard? A worldwide standard? And where/who is the final authority on this?