Open Letter To Members of Transplant Cafe.

Yes, I voiced my opinion to Nelson about Life............ being on this site. I was not the only member, but Nelson asked me to poll the members as to how they felt about this group and Dave's idea.

Originally I was against Nelson's idea, because Nelson is the owner of this site. I felt he should be the one to post a blog and poll his members. Due to misleading quotes by this group and using UNOS in the wrong light, I changed my mind.

Neslon was never going to change his feeling toward using Dave. I was told by Nelson that Dave help him grow Transplant Cafe. Under this group's theory, Nelson has admitted that he wouldn't be here today, due to the fact Nelson wouldn't have received his transplant.

I discussed in a comment with Dave, that I wouldn't be here today under his guidelines. After his discussion he told me I was right. By the way, the group's theory has never been tested. Wonder if the members of his group, double dip. Being on their list and UNOS's list.

Yes Freedom of Speech is one thing. Setting Organ Donation back is another. Education of the masses would help more people receive transplants in the world.

UNOS does this by setting up guidelines. We are all treated equally and on a level playing field. Yes,there are more people waiting for organs then are available. Yes, its a Gift of Life to the ones that receive it. A Gift given with no strings attached. We are all give thanks to the donor families.

That is why I volunteer at my transplant center and an organ network to promote awareness. I am giving back for the Gift I received.

Just wanted to clear the air as to why I started the original blog. Hopefully, members of the cafe won't take it the wrong way. Remember, Don't shoot the messenger! In this case I was being used.

Dave Undis And Life Sharers

Recently, I've been asked to remove a member from the site named Dave Undis who has an organization called LifeSharers, based on his views on organ donation.

When the idea of Transplant Cafe was brewing in my mind 2-3 years ago, it showed itself as a true community in every way and not just a support group. In fact the support aspect of TC is meant to be a big part of it, but just as equally important would be the other opportunities for community interaction a site like this facilitates.

In a real community there are topics, issues and people who are considered by some "out of the norm," controversial, evil and on and on. I personally think these things are healthy to keep things balanced and offer perspective...(so long as they're only stating their opinion and not attacking, harassing and insulting others which would be considered disturbing the peace and would be grounds for immediate account deletion).

What I envisioned back then was a place that would house all subjects relating to transplantation, even those subjects much more controversial than Life Sharer's approach to organ donation.. for community interaction with that content. I thought the site would be sort of like the "WiKiPedia" of transplantation. A place so big and diverse that as community members, you could not participate or interact with certain content you found offensive or of no interest and still have a great time here participating and interacting with content that does appeal to you as well as members. Or, even better, you would choose to participate and interact with content you took exception to let the author of it know how you feel about their point of view.

Life Sharers approach to organ donation may not work.. I don't know. It hasn't been proven yet. I suspect it won't work because I believe the reason we have an organ shortage problem is need for better and more education and anyone who says otherwise (like Dave Undis) is disturbingly misguided.

BUT, one thing I am certain does not work because it has been proven not to throughout history and current leaders around the world is censorship. Those who have the ability to do so and start going around getting rid of everything they disagree with, leave in their path a lot of destruction and go down in history as dictators.

The bottom line is this; Dave Undis has an opinion on organ donation and he is out there taking steps to make his vision the standard. This alone qualifies him to be a member of transplant cafe, same way as the non transplanted or related to those with transplants members of UNOS, or any other organization are welcome here. So long as Dave Undis isn't being thrown in prison for his opinions on organ donation and the constitution of the United States allows for Life Sharers to operate in this country, he should be allowed to have a membership here. I will not question our fore father's judgment.

Although Dave Undis doesn't go around the site actively recruiting members I also agree that Dave should make his content interactive, only informational and less "pitchie." So, I've asked him to allow comments and to make adjustments to his posted content and page. I cannot make him allow all comments on his content or page be posted before he approves them, but I will make sure that if he decides to stay here that only one link to his site is posted on his own page and group.

But, delete his or anyone's account for their point of view?? No way!

Nelson Freytes

Bring Mary Jo back!!!

I am sad to see Mary Jo has left the site...she is a great person who has the answers a lot of people need and she truely cares about people!Please try to get her to return because I feel she is a great loss to this site and I am sure if there was a vote she would win hands down against that ignorant sob as for who is more welcomed or needed in this site!
If letting that idiot voice his opinions and have his pathetic site on here means the loss of good people then that defeats the entire purpose of this.My advice to that idiot is to take his site to some place where he can entertain people who are rude enough to agree with him!I feel until that idiot is in my shoes waiting, knocking on deaths door he will never have the knowledge or intelligence to be able to waste anymore of my time or strength!
BRING MARY JO BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
she is what this site stands for!!

HOW DO YOU FEEL ALLOWING INMATES TO DONATE?

Hello to all:
I had heard somewhere that a jail would not allow a father to donate a kidney to his daughter. I feel this is wrong. Secondly, this may sound a strange, but I would like to discuss the feeling of allowing a prisoner on death row to donate? How do you feel if a death row inmate who will be executed and all his/her organs will go to no one? My family and I had this discussion and one of them mentioned they feel the execution should be done at a transplant hospital. The same medication used for execution is used to put one to sleep just before surgery, but in an execution they are given a lethal amount. So why not do this at a transplant University, put the inmate to sleep, put on life support, remove organs for transplantation then give the lethal dose.
One person said they could never receive an organ from a jailed person; they would refuse it (I don’t think so realistically). I see it as if this death row inmate murder people, well here’s his/her pay back. Does this sound odd, sick, interesting, a future possibility? I had also heard somewhere that a death row inmate’s wishes were to donate his organs and he was refused.
I’m just curious about how others think about this?
Karen
*ORGANS AREN’T NEEDED IN THE HEAVEN’S ABOVE LEAVE THEM ON EARTH FOR OTHERS TO LIVE AND LOVE*

He is not a doctor, nor has he been in a "need" situation and wth is this?I am a Transplant Facilita…

He is not a doctor, nor has he been in a "need" situation and wth is this?I am a Transplant Facilitator" is that the title you came up with?I have a few things I could say you are but you seem the type that enjoys drama so I won't waste my time!I am so fired up by this its making me barf!I would love for him to come to Canada and give us here a chance to ask him questions.Here are a few...DID YOUR MAMA DROP YOU ON YOUR HEAD?
Nelson I was so happy to find this site and in no time made some wonderful friends and you know what stage I am at..What happened?It means a lot to me to come read the things people post and talk about..I have been bragging to all about how great this site is and was about to show my doctors next week but now I am sad and hurt that this person could actually join such a great loving supportive site and ruin it in a mater of hours!Please fix this before any others get a load of his crap..I really don't want to have to defend organ donation or receiving an organ because of this misguided ignorant fool...Yeah I am totally pissed off at this...people that love this site love it for what it is and how it helps and how great the people are..no judgements..no rules...just good ole fashioned supportwith love and true carring!Please don't let one ignorant sob ruin it!