Letter to the Editor:

Organ donors make a beautiful pledge

Richard J. Mundy, Las Vegas

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Recently there was an Associated Press article about Irishman Frank Deasy, who, before he died from a diseased liver, made an appeal for people to become organ donors. In response, more than 20,000 Irish citizens signed up to become donors.

I bet Nevada could beat that number. According to the Nevada Donor Network, 101,000 Americans are waiting for an organ donation, and many will die waiting. What a waste.

Why not sign up to be a donor? My wife and I did, and when she passed away in June, doctors were able to harvest her eyes so another person could see. How beautiful — her death gave vision to a person.

Most organs harvested will save lives.

You can contact the Nevada Donor Network or simply during your next driver’s license renewal tell the DMV employee you want to be a donor. In dying, you will give life to others, and that too is beautiful.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By annienonymouse

9/28/09 at 6:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

Don't bet on it.
By smokininkman

9/28/09 at 10:56 a.m.

Suggest removal

I fully agree with this letter. You can't take them with you. When you are dead, you are dead. Why not leave the legacy of helping someone else to continue to live.
I almost wish it were mandated that organs be harvested at death.
My significant other received a new liver 12 years ago, and is now looking at a possible kidney.
I can't believe that anyone would NOT sign an organ donor card.
If you don't, then I hope that you or someone you love never needs an organ replacement, because if you are not willing to donate, then I think that you should not be able to receive!
By jlb101

9/28/09 at 11:40 a.m.

Suggest removal

Your wife did a beautiful thing. Part of her will live on for many years to come. I only worry that if we get national heath care, very little money will be available for good works such as this. Especially for the older Americans who have done so much for this country.
By cmon

9/28/09 at 7:19 p.m.

Suggest removal

"I only worry that if we get national heath care, very little money will be available for good works such as this."

Way to taint an otherwise noble subject with your backhanded vitriol, JLB. You have my sympathy.

My sister lived five years, and eventually died while waiting for a lung transplant. As her guardian for the last few months of her life, I could have been bitter over the abysmal shortage of donors. Many people sign their donor card, only to be overridden by family members who, in their moment of grief, refuse to actually allow organs to be donated.

When I held my sister's hand as the life passed out of her, I decided that she could help someone else, and because of her, there are two people in Illinois who now have sight.

So, JLB's quip notwithstanding, it's important to not only sign your card, but make sure your wishes WILL be honored.