Organ Donation

May 6, 2003

Okay here goes,

I am starting a national campaign to promote people to specify they are a

pancreatic islet cell donor on the back of their driver's license! I was

reading a transcript from one of Dr. Sutherland's conferences where he stated

that pancreas organ donation is way under utilized. They can't harvest them

without prior permission, but nobody ever thinks about stating it on their

DL. In Indiana, we have to specify the organs and have it witnessed by two

people. I was thinking about this, went and got my DL, turned it over, and

realized my entire thing was blank. Even if I have Pancreatitis, I want them

to have my organ to learn from. But, think of all the healthy pancreases out

there. Think of all the islet cells being buried in the ground. There isn't a

big list for the cadaver islet cell transplant, but when word gets out, I am

telling you, Hmmm, hmmm. If people don't want to leave their islets for

strangers, at least have your entire family specify that you can have them

when they don't need them. How many people have said, " I'd give you my

pancreas if I could " " Well, okay, let's go " Not really, personally, it is

hard for me to believe that the living donor won't get Pancreatitis after

donating part of their pancreas, I mean, go figure, people get Pancreatitis

from looking at their pancreas weird. I always said I wouldn't wish

Pancreatitis on my worst enemy. So if there is any chance what so ever that

that would happen, I don't think it would be worth it. But I will remind them

about the DL donation program.

Blessings,

Karyn , RN

Founder / Executive Director

Symposium August 28 & 29, 2003

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