Comments on: Organ donors definitely don’t suck

By: Little Pom's Mom

Little Pom's Mom — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:40:38 +0000

Ralph,

I’d be thrilled to get the info on whatever resources you may know about. You can reach me through the contact page of LP’s site: http://www.kidneykid.com

By: Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:47:40 +0000

Little Pom’s mom, your story is an incredible one. There are other organizations out there which can help you cope with a number of things. I know about some of them because I have an immediate family member who also has had many uro-genital issues and has a Mitrofinoff as well. I don’t know how halachically permissible organ donation is; every person should consult with their LOR and do what’s best for them. However, if you need any assistance from someone who knows just a little bit about what you’re going through, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Good luck!

By: Ruth

Ruth — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:12:34 +0000

My thoughts and prayers go out to Little Pom and his family. I am a blood donor EVERY 2 MONTHS. My husband and I go religiously every 56 days and donate to a child with cancer. I am also a stem cell donor x2 through http://www.giftoflife.org. Blood and marrow donations don’t require you to give something that you may need for yourself in the future. Blood and marrow rejuvenates itself after a few weeks.

May Little Pom have a speedy recovery.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:16:20 +0000

We interviewed a member of H.O.D.S recently for a PBS Wide Angle special tangentially related to organ donation. The rabbi we interviewed had an interesting perspective on the Jewish faith and organ donation. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/episodes/heart-of-jenin/video-does-your-religion-allow-organ-donation/5093/

By: s(b.)

s(b.) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:39:15 +0000

That’s weird, Jelen (and a wonderful offer for you to make). My cousin donated a kidney to her brother. I couldn’t think of a greater gift. I am an organ donor. One more way to recycle. I think everyone’s however they want to be, in olam haba.

By: Little Pom's Mom

Little Pom's Mom — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:57:27 +0000

Jelen,

I can’t imagine why that would be. You’re not too young. Did you ask him about his rationale? Either way, if you are truly interested in pursuing living donation, contact Chava at http://www.kidneymitzvah.com. She matches willing donors with recipients and always needs more of the former!

Best of luck to you.

By: Jelen

Jelen — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:13:56 +0000

i’m actually interested in living kidney donation, and a little while ago i received an urgent email from HODS looking for a kidney for a recipient who had O blood type (i am O+). i emailed back that i might be interested, but would like to get more information. i was strongly discouraged from donating by the founder for HODS…can anyone shed some light on why this might be? maybe because I am too young (I am 21)?

By: Chatzkaleh

Chatzkaleh — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:00:36 +0000

frum single female: did you just offer your heart for donation?

By: Little Pom's Mom

Little Pom's Mom — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:03:10 +0000

MO & Proud,

Just to reassure you on one point:

You are absolutely correct that if ALL someone does is sign an organ donor card (of the sort you can print off), then their next of kin could override their wishes. However, if one puts their name on the national organ donor registry (through the http://www.organdonor.gov or through their drivers license renewal) that is considered to be definitive and the next of kin cannot veto the decision. The potential donor, however, could remove their name should they change their mind in the future. Although goodness knows, I hope they wouldn’t!

To Frum Single Female: thank you for the kind thoughts.

To Puzzled: One does not become a living donor simply by joining the organ donor registry. Doing that only means that organs would be donated at the time of death. A living donor is often a friend or relative of the patient in need; however there are programs (such as Kidney Mitzvah) that will help pair a willing donor up with a patient. In any case, living donation always involves the saving of a specific person’s life through a specific action.