I am an organ donor. Are you?

Previously, I would and could not think of signing my organs away. I mean – if I am dead, I want to be left alone and not cut up like a newly slaughtered animal! Puhleez, I don’t want to go to heaven or hell minus my eyes, heart, kidneys, lungs, skin, liver (yeah, that many organs). I want to look pwetty in my keong si (chinese dracula?), China satin 7-layers empress look-alike gown. (btw, that kind suit costs RM400 7 years ago)

You can’t blame me. I grew in a traditional Chinese home. At funerals, we almost have to treat the dead person as if he/she is alive. We have to serve breakfast/lunch/dinner and nightcap at funeral wakes to the dead person. I had to provide basin of water to let my mother-in-law washed her face. Then, I gotta brew Chinese medicine for her. (OK, next time I tell you kids scary stories of funerals and visitations.)

Then….fate changed. I was holed up in the ICU of Lam Wah Ee Hospital for two long, ‘interesting’ months. Day in day out, I see dead people. Young and old. From 4 mths old babies to 90 years old granny. Illness, accidents or whatever way people choose to die.

Sometimes, some relatives took it wisely. Sometimes, they ought to be punched and slapped and cursed that they should be the one that die. It is that frustrating, you know? (next time I tell stories about silly things people do/say in ICU) Anyway, I was just a kay-poh-chee (busybody) so I only can watch and amuse myself.

Time goes by, death no longer bothers me. When Vincent died, I asked if his organs can be donated. At that time, I wasn’t aware that some organs have to be pledged before the person actually die. Prof. Lucy Lum of UMMC made some calls and unfortunately, even his corneas are not suitable as he was only 7 months old (4 months in real age).

Since then, I had done some parts in spreading the awareness of organs donation. Long time ago, one of my letter was published in The Star about organs donation.

And of course, I had pledged my organs too. Here is my card.
organ

The background is my photo. I swear! I did not ask anyone to take that photo of me signing my organs away. It was the official photographer who was doing his rounds and captured me unaware!

Actually it was an event at my church. Looking on is Vincent and my kids’ current paediatrician. If I was laughing (instead of being sombre) it was because I told the nurses that I will sign away everything except my skin. I thought they wanted my beautiful, flawless, porcelain like facial skin for someone doing plastic surgery. Turns out that they only take skins from the back, used for burnt victims etc.

So you see? Pledging your organ is a cool thing to do. However, note that approval/permission from your next of kin is required and will over-ride the pledge. So, best thing is to spread the awareness to everyone, especially your loved ones.

Dr. Cheang did asked me when he saw me signing the form,
Are you pledging for everyone?” (meaning kids and hubby)

My answer,
No, I am doing for myself but, hah, they can’t escape. I will know what to do, touch wood, touch wood, choy…

Which means that even without pledging, the next-of-kin can still donate the organs of the person they are responsible for. Eg. parents donating their children’s organs. Spouse to spouse.

How does one go about pledging their organs? Most private hospitals can arrange for you to fill in the form. A card will be mailed to your home. You can also pick up leaflets from Government Hospitals.

Read up facts and myth about organs donation. A Singaporean website HOTA with some FAQ. However, I cannot find a decent Malaysian webpage with information on organs donation. Not even the MOH’s site.

19 thoughts on “I am an organ donor. Are you?

  1. 5xmom ar …. Jxt2J said hor he want your nennenpok wor!!! he ask me to tell u bcoz he shy to tell u himself ler~~ LMAO!!!

  2. Tius la, you don’t use JxT name la. You shy to say just sms me mah. LOL! Oi, that one not for donation ‘cos overused liao. 2nd hand goods cannot recycle one. LOL!

  3. Left Boob has gone to NS camp leh, Jason. You have to wait for 3 more months.

    Paul – Me too = you also pledge your organs?

  4. Paul – Yeah, Wingz is an airhead who always spoil my comment board. *smacks Wingz dirty mind* So you are an organ donor for everything. If they will take ‘everything including the whole body’, then I told my hubby it will save him a lot of funeral expenses. No need cremation, grave….wah…nice.

    LocKee – Thanks for pointing that out. Will go see what msau said. I have seen that link. Funny that our own MOH never do such thing.

    milly – Hahaha, maybe by the time I am dead, all the organs cannot use liao. Too old liao.

    Wingz – I am going to boikote u liao! Made-In-Malaysia mya wheregot Yamaha?

    Hanyi – Respect, respect. I heard bone marrow donor very rare leh. Hope you get to help out someone one day. God bless you!

  5. Yay, another donor. Someone should open one blog and then, paste our blogs in the hall of fame, to encourage more donors. Go do it la. Our Government always talk-talk but when I want to find useful info, tak jumpa pun.

    Blood donation – I kena rejected 3 times until I give up.

  6. hahaha…..poor thing!! ;)) i was scared oso kena rejct but luckily – line clear. ;)) me open another blog? just for organ donors? sure or not?

  7. I’m one too but too scared to donate my skin, after they take all. anyway my card very kiam chai already as it’s not laminated like yours. don’t know where to get a new one so still carry the kiam chai one around !

  8. Hi Chief! How in the world did you find this old post of mine? LOL. I think you can just go to the GH and ask them for a new card. The details are hand-written so most probably, you just need to fill in the form and they will mail you a laminated one. You can do it at private hospitals ‘cos they also have a stack of forms printed by the Govt. Hospital. I also have a stack. LOL. Fill up, mail to GH and they will register and laminate and post the card back to you.

Comments are closed.