Cadaveric organ donation: Not necessarily in the cards

Even when a suitable brain-dead donor happens to be carrying an organ donor card, it is not a sure card The next of kin may choose to disregard it. Early hopes for donor cards have been dashed. Their text is misleading. Their legitimation in reference works, the medical literature, and public relations materials is misguided though well-meant Nonetheless, if donor cards (or ''X''ed driver licenses) persuade even a tiny percentage of families to donate, maybe all of the confusion is worth it. Pet, clearing tip same of that confusion would be worth it as well. The language of donor cards must be revised to reflect reality Ideally they should be redirected at, and passed out to, the next of kin. The driver license ''donor'' box could likewise be (re)defined to mean the next of kin Every individual in the nation could declare himself or herself someone's present or potential next of kin-and, therefore, someone's would-be organ donor: The card's bearer-donor (for once recognized as the same person) could avow something along these lines. ''In the midst of death, I will say yes to life. My family and I have read and talked about the modern-day miracle of cadaveric transplantation. If I ever have the tragic chance as the next of kin to donate a loved one's organs and tissues, I pledge to do so. My permission will allow a precious part of any loved one to live on and give life and joy to others.''