Is there anything that prevents a practicing Catholic from donating Blood and organs?
I do believe that I already know the answer to my question before I ask, but I’m just wondering if there is anything I should bear in mind regarding this.
Yours in Jesus and Mary
No issues. In fact, I think it’s a very kind and generous thing to do. They have ads here at the hospital saying, “Don’t take your organs to heaven! Leave them here on earth!” They’ll have a picture of a church organ! lol
I think it’s even acceptable to donate one’s cadaver, as well, since in most cases, probably like 98% of the cases, due to the way we die, only a fraction of cases will have all the criteria necessary for organ donation.
If you die at the house, and they find you later, hours later, I think you would not qualify to donate organs. It’s hard to qualify. If you have cancer, I think that disqualifies you, contagious diseases, etc., etc.
As to organ donation, some people donate kidneys and other things even while alive. I find that tremendously heroic.
My mother, (who is now I guess 89?) has donated a GALLON of blood during her life! I found that really impressive, because this was a woman, who like me, had a needle phobia!
My ex-husband’s father also donated a gallon of blood during a lifetime, and the Red Cross honors these people and will give them a certificate. I envy that. I wish I could! It’s SO beautiful! What a tremendous act of love!
I greatly admire those who donate blood, especially. One of my sisters tried to give blood. Many in my family are squeamish. She started to pass out, and they told her not to come back. She wanted so badly to try to do this. She is a very giving person that she tried once more, despite that warning. Again, she began to faint. Again, they told her NOT to come back!
I wanted to donate despite my phobia, but in my case, my mother saw that I’ve had all kinds of medical problems. They will have done about a dozen operations on me. They take blood on me all the time.
Years ago, before the cancer, I think, my mother advised me NOT to give blood or do anything else that could potentially weaken me, due to my special circumstances.
I can’t donate blood, anyway, now, since I have had cancer, not been free of it for 10 years. I also don’t think I’d qualify for organ donation either, same reason, not sure, though.
I’d really like to give my corneas, especially, because I work with the blind. I’ve seen what they go through.
I have one brother who is a doctor. He used to work on cadavers as a required part of a doctor’s study in medical school. They seemed to have had not enough people donating cadavers.
Once, someone wrote a letter to the editor on organ donation. I followed it up with another on cadaver donation, which I later heard was liked so much by some doctors that they took my letter, posted it up in the College of Medicine at a local university!
So, yes, by all means, organ, blood, even cadaver donation seems to all be acceptable by the Church.
shaw: