Why talk about your choice in the Donor Register?
Talking about your choice in the Donor Register is important. But why is it nice if your loved ones know how you feel about organ donation? You can read that here.
Everyone 18 years and older is listed in the Donor Register. In it, you indicate whether or not you want to donate organs and tissues after your death. Or whether you want to let someone else decide. It is important that you also discuss this choice with the people who are important to you.
Why talk about your choice?
If you die and are able to donate organs or tissues, doctors will always check the Donor Register first. The doctor will discuss the choice recorded there with your loved ones. For your family or partner, this can be a difficult moment. They are already grieving and are suddenly faced with your choice in the Donor Register. If they already know your choice, they know what to expect. That brings peace of mind. And prevents confusion or doubt from arising. It does not make an already difficult moment extra heavy.
That is why it is nice, for example, if your partner and loved ones already know that they have been designated to make a choice. Or that they know you are consciously registered as 'no objection to donation' in the Donor Register. Or deliberately with a yes or no.
'Mats let them have everything, except his eyes and skin'
19-year-old Mats had a serious accident, after which it quickly became clear that further treatment was no longer possible. Then organ donation came up. Fortunately, parents Niels and Litania knew exactly how Mats felt about this. 'Mats had spontaneously said: they can have everything from me, except my eyes and skin.'
Who do you talk to about your choice?
Of course you can share your choice in the Donor Register with anyone. But for some people it is extra important that they know how you feel about donation. After all, these are the people with whom the doctors will discuss your choice in the hospital. These are:
- Your partner
- Parents or children
- Other family members
- Possibly: the person you have designated to decide on your behalf regarding organ and tissue donation
How do you talk about your choice?
Sometimes people are not sure how to start a conversation about their choice in the Donor Register. That is normal. But it doesn't have to be a heavy conversation at all if you don't want it to be. You can just discuss it while cooking, when you are taking a walk, or while having a cup of coffee.
