What are the odds

I was talking to a person the other day who I hardly knew. We were talking about organ donations. I was telling him that I had produced a feature radio doco on the topic of transplant. I asked him if he was a donor and he was opposed to the idea because he was 1. A jew and 2. He thought the world population problem was bad enough.

I didn't tell him that my brother's life was saved because of an organ donor and how heartbreaking it is to see someone you love become so sick that they need a liver transplant. I did however continue the discussion saying that people should be given the opportunity to have a transplant should a donor organ become available. He then said to me 'a person has no right to a transplanted organ'.

My brother has CF as well. Two kids in the family... what are the odds? Since your asking, it's 1 in 16. Anyway his liver failed and he was put on the list for a liver transplant at the age of 17.
My family never believed (out loud) that he was going to die because we like to think we are optimists. My brother was and still is an inspiring person, he is extremely positive about his situation whatever it is.
I watched the months go by and the weight drop off my (little) big brother before the transplant. His body diminished, we became rather desperate. After 9 months and two false alarms the hospital called my brother in to the hospital. The time finally came for him to get his new liver.
7 years on he's thriving. He's leading an incredible life. Travelling overseas with his band twice a year. He received the gift of LIFE. How can you take that away from a person? How can you say that a person does not deserve to live? Is not entitled to the chance of life?

I fully understand the consequences of carrying capacity and over population. But it's not only just a matter of over-poputlation but also over-consumption. Do you really need that plasma tv screen or that 4WD? Climate change is something that people are cottoning on to and it's a topic that people are starting to take seriously. Also If were going to raise the issue of over poulation I think that educating women AND men on contraception for instance, is far more important for the sake of over population than donating your organs.

In Australia the organ donation rate is eleven in one million (11 in 1000000). Let me repeat that, 11 in one million. That's about rate of the USA and a third of the rate of Spain. Australians Donate say that most Australians wish to donate but they are not officially registered. In NSW there is a box on your drivers license that you can tick. BUT don't get confused this only indicates your INTENT to donate it does not automatically mean you have CONSENTED.

I WILL need a lung transplant sooner or later. I have now actually started to come to terms with the possibilty that it's not too far off. What hope is there for me if there are some people out there who are opposed to the idea of donatingf their organs? I didn't tell this person that I would one day be on the list for a transplant. I expect one day, even though I might be waiting a while that I will be given the opportunity of NEW LUNGS. But I know of people who have DIED waiting.