type a and type b are the blood types.

BTW, the positive and negative don't mean anything for organ donation.

Blood type is the main criteria, and then there are tissue types as well. There are thousands of those. Generally, they use the six tissue types that are the greatest determinants of success. 6/6 is often called a "perfect match" though it isn't except in the case of twins.

If an organ comes up from a cadaver, someone with a perfect match gets priority, regardless of wait. If a perfect match is not found, the organ is doled out on waiting time. Perfect matches are searched nationally, and if one is not found, the local transplant center gets the organ. Only those registered with that center would get that organ, and it is distributed based on wait.

On the Casey story, it is possible it was not a PERFECT match and/or the poor guy was registered with a different transplant center.

Now, even the tissue matches are not as much of a factor with the immunosuppresants.

 

Right on Kimmie! Same thing with me. I've already expressed it to my parents that if god forbid something happens to me to make sure to donate whatever they can, and just cremate me. My mom agrees as well with her. If you don't need it what's the point in keeping it. All my mom asked was to plant a tree with her ashes.

Very important to make people aware of your desires.

 

[QUOTE=Monkei,Jul 14 2005, 03:01 PM] It pisses me off when I see people who aren't organ donors.

 

I have been a donor since I first got my license... just seems to me that when I die if I can help save someone why shouldn't I? it's not going to do any good under 6ft of dirt.

 

I've decided to be a donor, but in my province, despite what you say on your driver's license, once you're dead your next of kin can override that decision (unless the law has changed in the last few years). Thus people are encouraged to talk with their loved ones about what you want to happen with your organs.

 

I am a donor as well. While I agree that donating organs is a GREAT thing, there are some folks, for religous reasons, choose not to donoate...they believe it is desicrating the body.
I've spent several (76 total) months on transplant surgery (I've got about 100 kidney transplant under my belt) and I'll tell ya, you will NEVER meet a more gratefull person.
For those that don't know, giving a kidney to a person gives them a new lease on life. Many of the patients I've transplanted say they feel like a new person and their worst day with a kidney is better than their best day on dialysis....just something to consider if you're on the fence about being a donor.

If the poster REALLY wants the detail of an organ recovery, then let me know and I'll PM you.

 

i've been on dialysis so long i don't even remember what it feels like to be healthy. I feel generally drained all the time, and I'm probably the healthiest kidney patient in my area. I work full time and everything. unfortunately, 3 nights a week are spent in dialysis which ruins any free time.

Every major religion encourages donation. those that don't do it for religious reasons should go talk to their priest/rabbi/cleric/whatever. honestly i think most of these folks are just looking for an excuse.

 

Okay so it spooks some people out. We might find that crazy but its not something to get pissed about. Now wouldn't you prefer having a kidney right now? Why can't I sell you mine (if its a match) I need only one. I'm going to have to go through a major surgery, miss work, and a shit load of pain to give you one, shouldn't I be able to be compensated? If the government would get of their moral high horse no-one would be looking for a kidney.

 

actually to donate a kidney now is not major surgery. only a few days in the hospital, and back to work in 2 weeks, if not sooner.

don't forget that many if not most kidney patients are poor and have no cash to pay you for a kidney. also it is not the government that controls this. It is UNOS (united network for organ sharing) that enforces these "no pay" policies.

I see their position and I see yours. I feel that freedoms should not be limited, but I also feel for those with little or no cash.

 

Steven have you spoken to family about being a living donor? Unmatched living donor kidneys do as goodr, even unmatched, than 6/6 matched cadavaric kidney.
good luck getting a kidney... take care.