Organ donation

I think donation should be a family thing, and it is. So the card should probably carry the signatures of the donor and immediate family. And it’s a process that, and I know that sometimes donors are, they do it independently. And they say, “Oh well that’s what I’m going to do.” And maybe family offer opposition but I’m guessing, in most cases, that it’s a joint decision.

The problem is that, when faced with releasing the organs, it’s an extremely difficult period you know, time. It’s within hours the question is asked, and it’s the wrong time to ask. And a lot refuse, completely understandably so.

Yes. So you think when people register they,

Yeah, almost, I know it’s silly because you register when you’re fit and healthy, and it’s something that might never occur. But almost the question should be asked by the doctors then. And if it happens in a week’s time or ten year’s time or whatever, then, but it’s difficult. But that’s when the question should be asked.

And you feel that there should perhaps be forms that are signed by the person who wants to donate as well as their family, in case they’re not aware of their wishes, or,

Yes. I believe there may be some sort of, yes, that’s the decision, is a joint decision. It’s not down to the individual, the actual donor. Those involved and once the donor becomes a donor they’re not here anymore and everything is put onto the shoulders of parents, sisters, brothers, uncles whatever. So, in a way, those around the donor have a bigger say and that starts when the decision is made to become a donor.
 

At the end of the day, it’s down to the individual. As I said, the only thing I could say is go to a transplant clinic, see the people sitting there who are healthy, well. I don’t really think there’s anybody who would say, “God, I wish I hadn’t had that done.” You might at times think, “Oh this is difficult,” if you’re having a bad time with it.

But, on the whole, it’s such a positive thing to do, and I’m sure even donors’ families, although it’s the most heartbreaking decision to make, I’m sure deep down they are delighted that their relative did that. And I mean especially if you think about children who’ve received you know, like a donor of some sort, it’s just amazing that you can make such a difference to their lives, or to anybody’s life.

But I don’t think there’s anybody who, again that’s difficult if it was a child that’s going to donate, but I just think it’s the best gift you can give. And if, yes, if you’ve got reservations then obviously go and talk to a professional who will hopefully ease those worries you’ve got. And give you the right information, because there’s so many bizarre things going around about transplants and you need the facts, you don’t need the fiction that’s made up from it. But if you go to any transplant centre, they have in their clinics loads of leaflets, but no, get the right information
 

There has again been a fair amount of research done. There was a conference a few years ago that I was involved in which looked at the inter-faith perspective on organ donation. It should be available on the web actually. It was a whole report that was up in Bradford, the conference and all the different religions, Jewish, Buddhists, Zoroastrian. We had all different leaders giving their perspective.

Now that’s research material. They have gone through the religious books and they have studied it, and they are making these recommendations. So I would encourage you know, the NHS has also created leaflets of other faiths, a faith’s perspective on organ donation. Which are available in some of the hospitals, especially where there are large faith-based communities. And get a hold of those. They’re fairly basic but it gives you a good starting point. And then of course find out for yourself, resolve within yourself.

But I would encourage you, in my understanding, in my fifteen years of being in this area, number 1 most people don’t mind giving of their organs. Yes because of religious reasons, other reasons perhaps 10 to 15% of the population might object to it. But don’t let that stop you from registering because story after story can be told of people who have unfortunately passed away. And one of the biggest legacies they have left behind is that they’re signing the organ donor has allowed people like me and many others, up to seven people, who might benefit from an organ, whether it be a heart, whether it be a cornea, a kidney etcetera.

So it’s probably the biggest legacy we can leave behind. And, as one campaign said a few years ago when I was involved with National Transplant Week, ‘Don’t take your organs to Heaven, Heaven knows we need them down here’. And I think that really captures whatever religion, faith, background you are, that captures the essence of why we’re doing this.
 

Actually the teaching of the religions is to help people in distress, in pain and suffering. So we shouldn’t use or hide behind religion just to, you know, if you’re so cowardly and trying to hide yourself behind the religion, that’s not right. I wouldn’t accept that sort of argument.

Yes. So there’s no religious basis?

Religion says you help. You help people. You should, with people who are suffering, you should help them. You see there are so many charities going out into the world helping people and giving them food and all sorts of things. So this is something similar. You are saving a life. So you shouldn’t hesitate if you have anybody, a relative, friend or whatever.
 

My husband wouldn’t be here doing the things that he’s doing if we hadn’t had that transplant. I’m on the transplant list and I would say sign up. And I’m hoping the government go in for the opt-out, which means everybody has to be on the register unless they choose not to. Because most people just never get round to it. So isn’t it better they never get round to saying, “No, don’t transplant my organs.” And help lots of people, rather than never get round to helping anybody. And we have thousands of people waiting.

And with kidney disease you can wait because there is dialysis or artificial kidneys. If someone’s got liver failure, they’ve got just a matter of weeks. If someone’s got heart failure, again it’s just a matter of weeks or months, it’s not very long. So the more people we can help, the better life will be for them, and therefore for others.

And actually for the NHS, if people are worried about funding, it’s more expensive to have somebody on dialysis with kidney failure than it is to give them a transplant. So why are we wasting NHS valuable resources? So just get on and register and do it is what I would say.