Organ donation awareness week. Seven days to increase the profile of organ donation and its benefits. Seven days to provide accurate information, stories, and encouragement to begin and multiply ordinary conversations that can lead to that extraordinary gift of life.
And on Day One we’d like to say something that may be a little unexpected, even counter intuitive. We’re not here to persuade anyone to say yes; it’s a personal choice…
Our bodies are our own. We are taught that, or should be, from our first day to our last. Taught that others have no rights over our physical or mental integrity. We may need to assert that too often for comfort, to defend that right, even vigorously, legally, and some more often than others. But defend it we should, for ourselves and for others.
Organ donation is no different. Our bodies, our health, our choice. And should circumstances coincide to make it possible for us to become donors, in life or death, our choice is to be respected and honoured.
If our choice is to say no, to opt out, it will be kept sacred by the medical teams.
If our choice is to say yes it can become a little more complicated. That’s when others have a say. Whatever we have chosen, or implied by our silence (the law in UK now presumes most people to be potential organ donors unless stated otherwise), our families will be included in the decision. No UK medical team will go ahead with organ donation against the wishes of the family.
It is important to let people know what our choice would be. There is evidence that in most cases where the decision of a loved one is clear and known, the family are more ready and able to allow donation to go ahead.
Where a person’s decision is unknown it is not so easy. Many families, when faced with that choice for the first time, and in the full face of unexpected family bereavement, are more likely to say no. The reasons are easily imaginable. They will, and should be, respected.
That’s why this week encourages those conversations about choice when they can be less stressful, less urgent, and can be discussed as much as necessary over the kitchen table, or anywhere else a conversation can be given time and space to be heard and honoured.
And, although we would prefer all our answers to the question about being a donor to be yes for countless reasons that we, and others, will be reinforcing this week, the bottom line is that the choice remains ours.
It’s a gift of immense value to say yes. But it’s ok to say no. So whatever your choice may become, please talk about it with your family. Talk about it again if your decision changes. It may be a kindness that will help them. Your choice. Thank you for giving it your time and attention…
