Death brings life.

Years ago when I was old enough I started donating blood to the Red Cross. I gave several times and because of some of the prescribed medications I was taking, I stopped donating . I also chose to be organ donor as It's indicated on my identification card. Ultimately the final say so would come down to what my husband wants if I happen to pass away first. And it depends alot on my general health at that time because of the diabetes. Let's face it I'm not 20 and healthy anymore, I'm a diabetic 42 year old. I made the decision to be an organ donor when I was 18. It was my choice then and I still wish to donate if anything still works. A simple donation can save many lives. Even if it only gives someone one more day then they would of had. It's worth it. 

I don't consider this a selfless act because once my brain stops functioning I would be an empty vessel.  A mere shell of who I was. My soul or spirit would of already left my body. I believe in the afterlife and God.

I also realize because of religion or culture , organ donation is never considered because a body must be buried whole. And normally those who don't donate won't accept blood, blood products or organs either. Religion plays a big part in how we approach tragedy and organ donation.

I think the real heroes are the ones who make the last minute choice to donate in the amidst of a tragedy. Parents quickly saying goodbye their child to give someone else's child a chance in life. The parent's selfless act gives another family hope. And hope is a powerful thing.

I've read alot of blogs about different birth defects, medical diagnosis that will end in death like ALS and others like myself, who struggle with a disease such as diabetes. I am in no way comparing Diabetes to terminal illness or losing a child. Diabetes can be controlled as long as I follow a diet and medical advice. If I don't follow the Dr's advice in regards to nutrition and medication, diabetes could be fatal.

I'm talking about conditions such as anencephaly, a condition diagnosed prenatally that has 0% chance of survival. Anencephaly occurs 1 out of 10,000 live births. Anencephaly is a NTD ( Neural Tube Defect). The neural tube fails to close during the 23-26 day of fetal development. Babies with anencephaly are missing large parts of their brain, scalp and skull. Often leaving the brainstem exposed to amniotic fluid. A child with anencephaly is thought to be deaf, blind ,unable to feel emotions or pain. Any movement in inutero is instinct. The mother's body is an incubator providing warmth and nutrients. And like many diagnosis considered "incompatible with life" , the child can only live inutero but not long outside of the womb.

I can't imagine being told the child I was carrying will die shortly after birth if he/she makes it during the pregnancy or delivery. Normally the parents are given two options, they can try to carry to term allowing the infant to die on his/her own . Or they can end the pregnancy. Most choose to terminate during this emotionally fragile time. Of those who choose to carry to term, some actually express an interest in donating their baby's organs after death. The donation depends on meeting certain criteria and the child must be free of genetic or chromosome issues. Their gift during this time of grief gives hope to other families.

Hope....