In the Netherlands, the only way you become an organ donor, is when you actively speak up and say you want to be one. There are people out there right now who are trying to reverse this system; that you’re a donor until you speak up for whatever reasons… and when you’re too young, your parents have to make that decision. The more I think about it, the more okay with that notion I am. At first I thought it was invasive, but you know… if this is the only way to get people to actively think about the whole issue, then so be it. You are still completely free to say no. Just take the time to do so!
I’ve been an organ donor since the tender age of eleven, because even at that age I grasped the importance of it, and I wanted to help people. I’ve been a blood donor since eighteen, although I should really call the bloodbank again because since my tattoo I haven’t given any blood anymore. And I should be in the safe zone again. So yeah, I should totally do that really soon.
It is funny that today I was reminded of it by the newest xkcd comic and a tweet by Mieke both, so I just wanted to say: if you read this, and you’ve never pondered this, or if you’ve always been too lazy to do something about it… try and save a life, if you can. When you’re dead, you’re wormfood or ashes anyway. Even if you believe in the concepts of heaven, your spirit doesn’t need any organs. And if you want to return to the earth, if they take your kidney and someone else might live, there’s still enough for the worms to feed on. And when the person who received your organ dies eventually (hopefully after a long and happy life), that kidney will return to the earth as well. It’s just so sad that so many people have to die while the technology to save them is there… but people are just too scared of pondering their own mortality or inattentive to take the time to save lives, actively. (Or at least to say that you really would rather not.)
It won’t cost you anything… you’ll be dead anyway. *shrugs*
Anyway, so much for those ponderings. I’ll now go back to writing 
I’d really rather not. I donate blood, and that’s enough for me. If you want more insight in my completely paranoide reasons why, let me know
I do think that the system that they’re proposing is invasive, but hey… I already said no to being a donor, and I’ll get a damned ‘Keep your hands off my kidney, bastards!’-tattoo if I have to :p
The whole saying *something* at least is what it’s all about. Everyone is free to make that decision on their own, as long as they make *some* decision, imho
In the UK you can opt into the organ donation register, but also if you kick the bucket they can ask your family. I couldn’t care less what happens to my body after I die – I’d be glad if some part of me helped somebody, and I know my parents feel the same. So if I shuffle off this mortal coil, I’m sure somebody will benefit, in addition to the world’s average IQ going up a bit.
I’m too much of a baby to donate blood, though. Needles. Pain. Ow.
Been a donor ever since it was possible. It just seems silly to me to waste good organs that can help somebody else. It’s not like I am going to need it.
I’d be fine with the opt-out system rather than the opt-in system, but of course as a donor it is rather easy to say that. I do see some problems with the opt-out system as being too invasive into private matters. On the other hand, it saves lots of lives and that’s a good thing…