The Big Donor Show

Em · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 11:09 am Post subject: The Big Donor Show

Well now I've heard everything. Just heard on the news that a Dutch TV program is putting contestants up to get a kidney! Have a read of the quote from MSN news. What do you think?

Those disappointed that reality show Survivor didn't quite live up to its dramatic title are in luck — contestants on a bizarre new Dutch program will actually be fighting to stay alive.
In The Big Donor Show, which is set to air this Friday, a terminally ill cancer patient will select one of three patients to receive her kidneys.
"I want to block this. This is truly not permissible," Joop Atsma, of the ruling Christian Democrat Party, told NOS radio.
"How are the two rejected candidates supposed to feel after the broadcast?"
Donor Lisa, 37, agreed to participate in the reality program after failing to find a suitable recipient of her organs.
Despite worldwide outrage over what many are calling a sick grab for ratings, broadcaster BNN says the program will highlight the country's shortage of organ donors.
"The contestants in the show have a 33 per cent chance. That's a much larger chance than if they were on the organ waiting list," said network chairman Laurens Drillich.
"We think that is disastrous, so we are acting in a shocking way to bring attention to this problem."
The program is produced by Endemol, the makers of controversial program Big Brother.
Dutch politicians are threatening to force the network to drop the donor show before it airs on Friday.
"The scenario portrayed in this programme is ethically totally unacceptable," said Professor John Feehally, former president of the UK's Renal Association. "The show will not further understanding of transplants … Instead it will cause confusion and anxiety."
Paul Beerkens, director of Holland's Kidney Institute, said it is "fantastic" that the program would draw attention to the country's donor shortage problem, but expressed concern over its sensational context.
"But the way in which they're doing this is definitely not our choice," he told Dutch news agency ANP. "This is not a structural solution."

the coffee nazi · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 6:57 pm Post subject:

hmmmmmmmm, i am curious to know what a 'structural solution' could be.... maybe the angle could be on the damaging lifestyles that can often end up in life dependant on organ donation, rather than the last desperate actions of a person with no other hope.

the coffee nazi · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:40 am Post subject:

ah so, it all seems to have been a hoax to raise awareness of the dire shortage of organ donors... i heard on sunrise this morning an idea for a 'structural solution', changing the donor registry from 'opt-in' to 'opt-out'.

all australians are automatically registered to be donors unless they go through a process to remove their name from the list due to personal/religious reasons, etc. this concept is based on the data that shows about 90% of aussies are willing to be donors, but the haven't registered.

what do you think of that idea? Idea

piratelady · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

I think that should come in years ago. They do it in Sweden, I believe.

The other legislation that needs looking at is the one that gives the next of kin to override the decision of the deceased. Some possible donors are having their decision overturned by their next of kin after their death (I really hope that makes sense - I've got a cold at the moment & my brain's asleep ! krank

) A register where everyone is a donor unless they opt out would help a lot.

Another thing is to talk to your family about your wishes, and explain why you want to donate. I'm lucky - my family agrees with my decision to donate. Mind you, I'm not sure if there's anything good enough to donate!! Laughing

the coffee nazi · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 3:54 pm Post subject:

kudos to you piratelady... did you know, one can go even further and donate their body to science. people like me (who will probably ending up carking it with diseased and therefore usless organs, i do drink waaaaaaaaay too much coffee) can bequeath their remains to a university for cadaver dissection by medical students. how else are the surgeons of the future s'posed to practice? and i want my surgeon to have had a lot of practice!

Em · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

I like the idea of an "opt out" rather than "opt in" idea for donations. I have already spoken to my family about these issues and they know how I feel.

Did you know about an Advance Health Directive? It's a legal document that is often used by elderly people but should be encouraged to be used by anyone. You state your wishes in it regarding recusitation, being placed on breathing apparatus, coma etc and the care providers and family must abide by your "advance" instructions.

It works like a Power of Attorney which is for legal matters, but this is for health matters.

the coffee nazi · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

really important stuff... but it seems the vast majority of people just hurtle through their lives without even considering this stuff. i started to think about my options when i first saw Roman Polanski's 'Macbeth'... the human hand buried by the witches in the opening scenes belonged to a theatre devotee who donated his body to the arts... it was in high school so i was about 14-15 years old. you gotta have a plan!

piratelady · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:

Em said:

Em · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:

You don't have to go to a solicitor to get the forms. You can get them from newsagents believe it or not (small cost), or you can download them from the net for free. You do have to get it signed by your doctor and for it to be recognised as a legal document you have to then see a solicitor. It's not difficult and is sometimes called a "living will".

Lots more info on this site - www.justice.qld.gov.au/guardian/poa/ahd.htm

Em · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

Oh well I'll be the first to admit that I got sucked in by this pfeifend

- but then again it really did achieve the goal of getting people to talk about organ donation. reden

piratelady · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject:

Supposedly, that was what the producers wanted Laughing

.

Did anyone else see the Australian Story program on the Jesus Christians? This was about a sect/cult/alternative denomination who encourage their members to donate one of their kidneys, saying it's a way of putting their Christain beliefs in practice.

What do I think about them? I'm really not sure ... Confused

waterless · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:30 am Post subject: Living Will

Em · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:35 am Post subject:

Thanks for your wise words Waterless. It's great to have different perspectives of this emotional issue, and as a family member and a nurse you would have seen it all.

Having worked with older people for a few years I know how sad, frustrated and even angry they can get when loss of indepdence and choice is forced upon them.

waterless · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:17 am Post subject:

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