View Full Version : Good things from my Brother's Death
Eagle5US
12-30-2008, 06:30
Kind of a neat little tidbit on my brother's death and his subsequent organ donation.
Story is Here (http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_tissue_1230dec30,0,5768251.story?page=1&track=rss)
This type of thing really helps my folks.
I guess it goes without saying, organ donation is a personal choice, but it was Dan's and it has helped my folks deal with this lot better.
Eagle
Makes me glad that I have Organ Donor checked on my License. Kudos to your Family and God Bless.
This brings up another question. I heard, even though you have Organ Donor checked on your License. The Doctors still need Family consent. Is this true? Or is dependent on State Laws?
AngelsSix
12-30-2008, 06:54
Eagle, sorry for your loss. I am an organ donor as well. If I can still help someone after I am gone that would be fine with me and my family. One thing someone pointed out is that if you are in a car accident and no one knows, often the people on scene don't know the person is an organ donor and they don't keep the organs viable for harvesting. I think that maybe if there were something to alert first responders to the fact that you were an organ donor, kind of like a Medic Alert bracelet, that would help.
I remember this story well, was living Gloucester at the time and my oldest daughter still does. And when I moved back here and got a PA drivers License I got donor put on it and my daughter in VA has since done the same. So there is still good coming out of this and you may not even notice. May he RIP... Thoughts to you and your family...
Sorry for the loss, Eagle, but it says alot about a person that's willing to help others out - while alive or not. I'm sure your family is proud of him, and rightly so.
As the article states, a little generousity goes a long way.
Surgicalcric
12-30-2008, 08:35
Truly a giving man and an awe inspiring story. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rest In Peace.
It is an amazing story, being able to help that many people... Your brother gave the gift of his life to many others. God Bless.
CPTAUSRET
12-30-2008, 08:55
Good on him, good on your family! His gift should inspire others to give as well!
Truly sorry for your loss, but I'm glad there is a good amount positive closure for your family.
It's always a good idea to have something like this in your will and if you are military to have it in writing on your DD93 and a will should the need arise to remove you from life support.
Mine is the simple statement that my wife is the decision maker, and will speak on my behalf should I be unable to communicate. Regardless of your plans and agreements between you and the rep you chose, put it in writing. You can actually go so far as to structure who has precedence on your organs. I chose children first and it's written as a clause in my will.
Anyone of the legal beagles here may be able to provide more insight. I'm strictly speaking on my case.
My condolences to you & your family..
and my thanks to your brother for his unselfish giving...
Sorry for you loss Eagle. That truely is an amazing story.
Makes me glad that I have Organ Donor checked on my License. Kudos to your Family and God Bless.
This brings up another question. I heard, even though you have Organ Donor checked on your License. The Doctors still need Family consent. Is this true? Or is dependent on State Laws?
I believe you are correct. When I was in school, there was a lady there that used to be a nurse, and she said that they still had to call. She said they have to call no matter if you are a donor or not. So, even if you had the sticker, if the family said no, they couldn't use the organ. According to her, it happens alot, b/c they call families who just lost someone, and are asking for their organs. But, on the good side, sometimes they would call for people who didn't have the sticker, and still get an organ.
Bill Harsey
12-30-2008, 12:02
Eagle,
Inspiring story and thank you very much for posting it here. Now I know why I checked the donor thing on my drivers license (didn't know how much good this could do).
Red Flag 1
12-30-2008, 13:19
Eagle,
Just a great story, more should read it!
Sorry for your loss, but nice to know he still lives on.
RF 1
jasonglh
12-30-2008, 14:52
Sorry for your loss Eagle.
Last week I was heavily involved in an effort to keep a patient alive long enough to fly in the transplant team from U of L. The transplant coordinator was on my unit for close to 24 hours straight trying to put the whole thing together. I think it helped the family to know that for Christmas 3 people got the gift of life immediately in the form of 2 kidneys and a liver plus however many got other tissue. I have never been that involved in such an ordeal so it was a unique perspective.
6.8SPC_DUMP
12-31-2008, 00:19
What a tragedy... I'll quit procrastinating and get an organ donor license.
I'm glad that the help your brother gave others got some media coverage.
Peace be with you and your family.
Eagle5US
12-31-2008, 06:48
Thank you all for the wonderful recognition of my brother's gift. He was a great kid...:lifter
Eagle
God Bless you and your family. Your brother is walking the walk; the life cycle continues.
My condolences to you and your parents.
- C.
Please accept my condolences, Eagle. I'm sorry that you and all of those who cared about Dan have had this loss.
"Even in his death, he is still helping people. He was always like that."
That would not be a bad epitaph for anyone. Clearly, he was a good man.
Eagle Sir,
You are blessed to have such an incredible family, filled with bravery, and courage.
Thank you for sharing your brothers story, may he rest-in-peace.
Holly
olhamada
12-31-2008, 17:59
Eagle,
Sorry to hear of your loss. What an inspiring story borne from such a tragic accident. Thank you for sharing. May God comfort you and your family.
x SF med
12-31-2008, 20:37
Eagle-
Prayers out for your family (still) - it says something when somebody can make a huge difference in lives even after they are gone. Your brother is still here in helping others to live.
We do have another member of the board who recently lost a family member, and this loss caused said member to register as a bone marrow donor... less than a week later, a call was received, and on Monday 12/29 this member donated. Since this person wishes to remain anonymous, I will respect those wishes.
We have an amazing group of people on this site, and in the small degrees of separation from it.
Thank you Eagle, and your brother, for helping remind us of that.
De Oppresso Liber
So sorry to hear of your loss Eagle. It's heart warming to see the healing kindness of your brothers choice. My prayers for you and your family!
Thank you, Eagle, for posting this. Your brother has changed my views on donating.
Sorry to hear of your loss and my prayers to you and your family. God bless.
Eagle5US
01-01-2009, 12:26
Thank you, everyone, for these wonderful comments and recognition of Dan's gift.
He was a great kid, and it's nice to see he continues to touch so many people.
Eagle
Puertoland
01-01-2009, 14:12
What a good story, sounds like an amazing and selfless person. God bless him, and your whole family.