Most of you know – I’m a big public radio listener – one of my many favourites is White Coat Black Arts with Dr. Brian Goldman – a ½ hour segment – where the listener gets the inside story – that is understandable to the non-medical/technical brain oriented person like myself. It opens up my eyes to things that I would never perhaps know about. Sometimes, the stories I hear each week – makes me want to write about it – and this one did – with the interview with Dr. Phil Fischer who has come public about himself becoming a living organ donor after he received a letter from the recipient of his kidney.
“ a few weeks of recovery ”
Dr. Fischer was saying that it took him 6 weeks to recover from the surgery and not the 3 weeks that he thought he could recover (he’s not a youngster anymore he was saying <lol>). He actually could have taken medical leave from the Mayo Clinic where he works – but he decided instead to use his holiday time. He did this as well with NO monetary gain!
“ it was the right thing to do “
Why would someone do this for a person that they don’t even know? I had sort of skirted the issue with my brother many years ago (he probably doesn’t remember) – about whether I ever needed a kidney transplant due to my long term diabetes perhaps shutting it down would he consider losing one to me . He didn’t seem to be too receptive to the idea (and a relative doesn’t always mean you are matches).
You can listen to the full pod cast here – it’s only 28 minutes long – and may open up your eyes abit of organ donation (Dr. Fischer’s full interview comes during the last 15 minutes to the episode – and he does some small snippets in the beginning with the debate about organ transplants).
CURRENTLY 1 IN 500
Canadians receive organ donations from a deceased person – and the low number is often due to the hospitals that handle the organs that can be donated – to the person who is in dire need of them to save their life. Canada is at the bottom ½ of organ donations in the Western nations as well with Spain at the top. If you listen to the pod cast link below – you’ll understand the system of how organ donations are done in our country – it’s not perfect – but maybe in time it will be. Perhaps people will will also reconsider donating their organs in whatever method they feel comfortable with.
I know for myself – that if I was not a diabetic – I would donate a kidney – even with the risk to myself – knowing I could save someone’s life. I hope that when I do die – that if any of my organs can be used they will be put to good use (having visions of Dr. Lecter Hannibal below - shiver!!!) – and if not - at least my body can help aid medical research!
Would you?
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