My experience with organ donation.
When I was small, I riffled through my mother’s purse looking at the different membership cards. Then, I stumbled upon her driver’s license. Looking over the card, I noticed a tiny red heart. That sparked a question that lead to a conversation with my mother about organ donations and transplants. She told me how people were in need of different organs and how they can only get them if someone dies. My mother is a Christian and believes that once she dies she will have no need for her mortal body, so why not give it to someone in need?
A few years later my cousin had a lung transplant. She had cystic fibrosis. A pair of lungs came in and she went to the hospital. Her family was so excited. Then the doctor said he didn’t like the way the new lungs looked. Something was wrong with them. They would have to wait for a new pair. They didn’t wait for long. I still remember my grandmother recounting that moment. She had gone outside to keep my aunt company while she smoked. While they were out there, a helicopter appeared and my aunt whispered, “Those are her lungs.” They were. Thanks to that transplant, my cousin lived a happy life with a loving husband and their spoiled, adorable pugs for about twenty more years.
In class we discussed why some people wouldn’t want their loved ones to donate their organs. You don’t want to mangle the body of the person whom you have so closely loved. I understand. Two people had to have died in order for my cousin to finally receive her lungs. I feel sorry for the families that had to go through that, but I hope they know the happiness, joy, and life that was gifted to mine. That’s why I decided to be an organ donor myself. What use am I going to have for them once I’m gone?
Good insight. I know that most people don’t agree, as you said, and think that organ donors become a mangled body. However, I think you have a great point in appreciating that what it is now is just a body without a personality inside, why waste it?
Being an organ donor is a great thing. I can understand how some people would not be okay if they or their loved one had their organs removed after passing away. But I can also see how someone would rather have their healthy organs go to someone in need. My mom has the organ donor heart on her license too. Growing up I always thought that when I got my license it was expected that I checked off being an organ donor as well. I didn’t put much thought into this decision and how important of a decision it is until we talked about it in class. But I agree with you that what will I do with my perfectly organs once I am? Might as well give them to someone who needs them.