X-Message-Number: 7025 Subject: Re: Moving slowly closer to signing up Date: Mon, 07 Oct 1996 13:59:56 -0500 From: Will Dye <> In #7014, I wrote that I put "call 1-800-TOP-CARE" under the organ donor section of my renewed drivers license. In #7018, Steve Bridge kindly took the time to post a fairly long message, essentially pointing out that this arrangement is woefully indadequate, and must be changed to a full signup. As usual, I unequivocally agree with Steve. My original post was not clear enough: I put the number on my license, as a spur-of-the-moment decision, SOLELY to avoid having to change it again when I finally get signed up. Renewing one's license is about a half-day ordeal in Nebraska. My letter (which was addressed to Brian Wowk and cc'ed to Cryonet) was to inform Brian of what I did, just in case I died before I was properly signed up. I simply didn't want Brian to be completely caught off-guard if he got a phone call about a cadaver named "Will Dye". He might think it was a practical joke. :-) Also in response to my post, Mike Perry says in #7020: I would not feel good about not trying to save a person's life if I could, even if doing so would create a hardship for me, and even if the person said, "please don't bother--I don't want to burden you." I appreciate your kind thoughts. As you note, however, no organization can afford to take on charity cases without endangering their patients. The #1 threat to patients is that the organization will run out of money. I know that you'd do the right thing, but to ease any ill feelings you may have, I'll say it again: I knew the risks. Both Steve and Mike suggested I sign a "Declaration of Intent". Certainly this will be done when I sign up. At this time, getting anything formally arranged, such as a signed document, needs to be done in such a way that I'm not doing it behind anyone's back. I only did the Driver's license thing because it was handed to me without advance warning. I'm continuing to make small steps. That's why I titled the post "Moving slowly closer...". I hope that things are not brought into action before these intermediate steps become a full signup. --Will Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7025