NotSinceBreakfast
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Me - about 4 years ago
Me - about 2 years ago
Finally feeling human again, but still pretty underweight.
Me - yesterday (September 19, 2014)
And I'm no longer a skeleton. More of a chipmunk, actually.
I'm wearing a fire suit.
(Compliments of Hoosier Tire Great Plains http://www.hoosiertiregp.com)
This is my donor Mason.
He had a bucket list.
See that number two item?
I'm gonna do it.
And this is the car.
His family received this Medal of Honor.
This note accompanied it.
The interconnectedness of the human family - because of this love, this desire to help one another see along a wish, I'll not only get to drive a race car, but the family who owns the car (along with their sponsors) is going to bring my donor's entire immediate family to Kansas to watch me do it.
Did I mention he saved 3 lives in addition to my own?
And he helped another to see again.
The loss of life that accompanies it's gift is never without sorrow...
but those people, moms, dads, children, sisters, brothers, friends, those who are given a reprieve from a fatal condition, carry the memory of their donors, allowing them to live on in multiple places simultaneously. Those people are the guardians of so much more than just an organ. They are the vessel by which a legacy continues.
I am honored to fulfill this wish of my donor. I know somewhere he'll feel the wind in his lungs as we speed by his family in the stands.
If you'd like to be someone's hero someday, follow the link to register, and don't forget to tell your loved ones of your wishes, as they will be the ones to carry them out: http://donatelifeamerica.org/register-now/
Continued: http://imgur.com/gallery/OcYCP
rednecknerd
+1KU
AllegedlyUncleTonton
So remember kids, always recycle!
Amajor
This is why in Belgium we ask families if they refuse the person to be an organ donor and not the other way around.
tink413
What perfect timing as my very best friend had a kidney transplant just 4 days ago. Organ donors are what make the world a better place.
BigGunn
My dad was an organ donor, we got letters some time after letting us know that because of his donation, 2 people could see (corneas) 1/2
BigGunn
and 2 people benefited from heart valves. I think it really helped my mother knowing that his passing helped others. (2/2)
UglyGilly
1-2 Not that I was against me registering as a donor just never interested me in a way or never put thought into it... These made me realize
UglyGilly
That I should and it will make me feel good having the idea that if my passing can save a life I'll do it. Registering. Thanks op.
NotSinceBreakfast
That means so much - thank you for posting!
GooseHerder
Rock chalk!
greatwhitenorthbre
I've been a donor since I was able to sign up as one!
beepyboop
first thing i did as soon as i turned 18 plus told family and friends to give as much of me as they can, why keep things I wont need
LetPein
I agree to an extent, but I value a person's life over respect for my dead body
ahhhhgeneparmesan
teamtinmen.com This is a group of organ recipients who do not take the gift for granted and complete Ironmans, marathons, etc. Check it out!
ayeayeron
ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK
jcw289
My daughter with CF introduced me to Imgur and we saw the backstory together when it posted. She was next on the list but died from...
jcw289
from complications 9 days before her 28th b-day. She had an amazing life but had a bucket list too. Pls donate! (Thanks OP).
NotSinceBreakfast
Oh I am so sorry for your loss! CF is so isolating, but the CF community on facebook is immense, I hope you have found others to relate to.
ellster
KANSAS
314159xr2
One of my very good friends is a few month post-op for a double lung also because of CF. This made me cry. So fucking happy for you, OP.
NotSinceBreakfast
After my first post, a CF imgurian messaged me, he got the call a couple days later. He's doing well & now we're FB friends! :)
Halfton81
Whaaat I saw that sprint car win in Park City, KS 3 weeks ago. Congrats on surviving and getting to drive that beast OP.
NotSinceBreakfast
I'm excited - will be there driving Wed and Saturday!
lraskie
I went to sign up the other day and my past self had already beaten me to it.
NotSinceBreakfast
Past you is good people.
NATA5
A friend's brother recently died in a crash but saved 7 lives because he was a donor. Life can come even from death.
yoanayee
reminds me of the movie 7 pounds
Konfigg
I'm transplanted. Needed a kidney in 2011. My brother gave me one. I can't stress the importance of being a organ donor. Much respect, OP.
majorbojangles
This has inspired to sign up as a donor, thank you OP
emmaontoast
This is exactly why I'm a registered donor, also. I would want someone else to live life the way I do.
iamselfconsciousofmyusername
Rock Chalk, OP. Glad you are healthier!
ImpossibleFinn
Here in Finlans everybody's a donor. Only if you don't want to be a donor (religious reasons etc.) you can register to be a non-donor.
taspac2002
Same here in Latvia.
bl1nkbl1nk
Finland. Since you obviously have piles of pancreases in some warehouse, why do I still have type 1 diabetes? Research harder. I want cake.
serenity87hun
Same in Hungary.
mecheg
same in Chile
sixfoothobbit
Go away Finland, stop making everyone look bad
ImpossibleFinn
I think it should be like this everywhere...
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Yes.. so much yes.. it's pure logic.. if you wanna be illogical about it (like religious reasons), fine.. opt out
bumpylumps
So much badassness in one post... suddenly I feel I need to do more with my life :D
Ustrello
Good for you doing his bucket list
LaurenceEdward
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''2w
Nonjudgemental
How's the fit?
NotSinceBreakfast
Like a glove. A whole body glove. Only without actual gloves.
Nonjudgemental
...so like this?
NotSinceBreakfast
Aw yiss
obvioussarcasm
This is why I'm registered as an organ donor. Well, that and my family doesn't realize I won't be using them when I'm gone.
lyinginbedmon
Well it would somewhat spoil the funeral if the paramedics turned up to harvest the family anyway.
BlibberingHumdinger
(2/2) with them, or contact a lawyer to override their opinion, or make an agreeable sibling (cousin, etc) your executor.
JessThe2ndBestt
I want to be an organ donor but my family is so weirdly against it because they think there's a need for me to buried
fishfingersandcustard
TELL THEM. My uncle was a donor, and we knew, but the call from them was still difficult to handle. It would've been worse had we not known.
PillowFortPolice
i started crying reading this story. im 18 and my dad died when i was 5. he was an organ donor and it brings me joy.
BlibberingHumdinger
If your family aren't on board with the donation, your being registered won't hold. They always get final say. So you need to discuss (1/2)
emuthegreen
Write a will. Get it notarized. Even being a registered donor, families can take that to task.
Khanecz
I wanted to register in my country, but i found out i don't have to. Everybody is considered a donor unless they state they don't want to.
Khanecz
I mean in the event of death of course
eggmuffin
A very important caveat. :)
BlibberingHumdinger
Awesome! What country? I bet Northern Europe region.
vegivamp
Belgium, too.
Khanecz
Czech Republic
MongoloidFARTexplosion
What if I want to be frozen and re-animated? (which I do)
Khanecz
mmurrbles
Well that makes a lot of sense because why not?
sanshi
In our country everyone is organ donor unless you legally sign you don't want to be one. Way to go!
sixfoothobbit
What country? That sounds like an awesome way to do it. I could imagine Americans opposing it though "The government are stealing our body"
sanshi
Czech republic :)
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Yes.. your country is awesome in that aspect.. too bad we don't know which country that is.. :p
sanshi
Czech republic, Central Europe :)
cheezysockets
I thought everyone is automatically a donor unless you actively take yourself off?
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Only in a few countries that aren't backwards (no worries, I also live in a backwards country when it comes to donor registry :p )
TitleWeHaveTalked
not in the US.
cheezysockets
ah. pretty sure it is in oz. Shit I better get in contact with medicare.
cheezysockets
oh also why isn't it?
TitleWeHaveTalked
because the idea behind the religious freedom in the US is that one should not need to take deliberate action to prevent the government 1/2
cheezysockets
I wanted to call this but I thought I might get busted for stereotyping.
TitleWeHaveTalked
from violating one's religious freedom. For some religions donating any bodily parts including blood is not permissible.
runia24
This, but I'm squeamish as fuck when it comes to needles, so I can't donate blood. You can take my body stuff after I'm dead though, 'kay?
ashipthatshipsshippingships
That's awesome, and you're awesome. Being a donor is actually my motivation to exercise
sweetpeasoup
I had to get a plasma transfusion after a 2nd tumor removal surgery and donating my organs with I die is the only way I can give back.
ImCommanderShepardAndThisIsMyFavoriteImageInTheGallery
I'm the opposite, love the process of donating blood/plasma, find it amazing. And I'm on the marrow donor list, just in case. If someone 1/2
ImCommanderShepardAndThisIsMyFavoriteImageInTheGallery
needs some of the bits of myself that my body is just gonna make more of, then damnit, take all you friggin' want. TAKE IT ALL, BITCHES!
DustyLoophole
I heard donating bone marrow can actually hurt (hello nerves in bone) so seriously, good on you for doing that.
canadianboredom
Faith in humanity +1
FlatPlutoSociety
Make sure that your wishes are explicitly clear to your family. Even as a registered donor, family can hold the process up.
obvioussarcasm
Don't worry, I have an advanced care directive and named someone who agrees with my view as my medical decision maker. :)
NewtonWren
No-one's worried, that's what we pay lawyers for.
themasterzulf
If I die before my mom it's all good. She signed me up as one lol. Not that I have a problem with it, I won't need them anymore
intooblv
"We're taking your organs, kiddo."
theasianviking
I find that so weird that family still holds the final word over you're body even though it would technically be your decision
FiksN7
You (the survivor) get a phone call from the hospital and they run you through a checklist of tissues to donate. All it takes is a "no."
fragtore
It's fucked up.. I should decide over my body, not my conservative ignorant relatives
FiksN7
It's a hard process to go through. Being the one alive means being the one fucked up in the head.
intooblv
So of course it makes sense for those people to be the ones making potentially life-or-death decisions for total strangers.
FiksN7
Yuhp.
momofukme
Does his family know you're working on his bucket list?
NotSinceBreakfast
Yep!
itseemsasthoughallthegoodnamesaregone
I'm so happy you're alive and doing this, OP. People like you are the reason I've always been an organ donor.
Drakhma
you said "fire suit" are you a firewoman? also congrats
NotSinceBreakfast
I'm told a fire suit is what race car drivers wear to reduce burns should they catch fire.
Drakhma
make sence since the cars in some cases can catch fire, http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/974050_o.gif
NotSinceBreakfast
I loled
Gonnaderpya
Well then you're pretty goddamn awesome aren't you. How clenched is your ass at the thought of skydiving? :D
NotSinceBreakfast
Almost went last fall but it was cold/windy and they shut down for the season :/ I will next summer, I hope!
ilikestalemarshmallows
I went this summer for the first time. Don't be afraid, it's not that scary! Mostly just insanely awesome!!
Gonnaderpya
Bitchiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! Won't see me doing it though o_o
crimemcgruff
I'm from Kansas, OP. I want to go skydiving.
dryersheets
I've gone skydiving in Kansas. It;s beautiful.
GregKennedy
Everyone should be an organ donor. You're not going to need them where you're going.
daniela2007
but i want to take them with me?
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
You're talking about an opt-out system, and I'm all for it.. soo sad that they're wasting so much money on getting people to opt in
suomynonA
I once noticed the heart on my mother's drivers license. Ever since I saw it, I decided I will donate too in her honor...
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Good for someone else! ;)
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
I dunno man.. maybe I want to barbecue my liver in hell ;)
magisch
I am. Not everyone in Germany is. That is sad.
Xenshail
If I donate my blood, I donate my malaria. Think it works with organs too.
mychemicalunderpants
I've got type 1 diabetes so cannot donate blood or organs, but am leaving my body to science instead. Every little helps!
cesairforgeroflightning
Yet to some it is really frightening. I am thoroughly afraid of needles and operations, it scares the shit out of me to think of 1/2
cesairforgeroflightning
them taking out my organs. I am a donor nonetheless, I just try not to look at the donor ID in my wallet. 2/2
JessThe2ndBestt
I want to be one but my family doesn't I don't get it I would rest more peacefully if my body was put to good use
GregKennedy
Put it in your will?
JediKnight
That won't work; it'll have to be immediately available to healthcare workers, like on a photo ID. Gotta take em quick before they go bad.
JessThe2ndBestt
I'm going to I just wish my family would understand and not feel incomplete just because they didn't get to bury me into the ground
balthcat
They still get to bury you. Most of you.
bipolarmolar
But to save your organs, they only give resuscitation attempts like 2 minutes. Normally they would try longer, til your organs are junk
bipolarmolar
call me greedy, but I want them to try and save my dumb ass for as long as possible and that's my god damn choice, bitches, so deal with it.
bipolarmolar
there, I went ahead and downvoted myself into the bad comments for you all
NoSenseNoSense
Cleveland?
madeit
Got my kidney at the Cleveland Clinic. Best Nephrology department in the nation for the past couple of years.
ajizzle
Quagmire?
NoSenseNoSense
Well, I did donate my giggity if ever in a fatal accident.
InboxMeYourOwls
Joe?
jebascho
My mom is against it. She's convinced EMT's won't try to save a donor, as they'd rather harvest the organs.
balthcat
Wow. Is she prone to other paranoid ideation as well?
jebascho
Does being in the Tea Party count?
balthcat
Yes :/
vegweg
Agreed. My mom only has 1 kidney and is in 3rd stage failure. I wouldn't be nearly as worried if it didn't take years to get one.
SpokaneMuffinMaster
And yet, people are still selfish assholes.
DriftCompatible
Sweeping generalizations don't do anyone any favors. Calm down.
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Nothing to do with being selfish, little to do with religion and other stuff.. people just don't like thinking about it, let alone decide
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Change the system from opt-in to opt-out, and you propably end up with a consent rate of +95%
SpokaneMuffinMaster
Plenty of ppl do it selfishly, not just for "legitimate" reasons.
balthcat
This seems like a cynical take on the definition of selfish. ie: For personal pleasure at doing something good.
philliplovesall
It has nothing to do with being a selfish asshole. Sometimes it's a religious reason. And sometimes people just don't want to do it.
[deleted]
[deleted]
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
This sounds like an urban legend..if there's any truth to it, it might be if you'd end up braindead, which I'd be fine with giving my organs
ImJustHereSoIDontGetFined
I feel like the latter reason kind of falls under "selfish asshole" but point taken.
philliplovesall
I get you're point, but why do I have to help others. Maybe I just don't like people...
ImJustHereSoIDontGetFined
You don't have to and nobody should be able to make you but that's still pretty much the definition of selfish. Not saying one doesn't [1]
ImJustHereSoIDontGetFined
have the right to be seflish, just that it is selfish. [2]
balthcat
"Just don't want" = selfish
philliplovesall
Oh, I'm sorry that my religious book tells me that I need to go back into the ground the way I was born.
balthcat
Yeah, I bet your religious book tells a lot of different people a lot of different things.
philliplovesall
Well, you can do what you want with your body, I'll do what I want with mine. :)
balthcat
Sure, until you die. Then common sense dictates your say is OVER.
philliplovesall
Then you must not live in America because here I have the choice
balthcat
For now.
cousteau
Well, some religions may disagree.
cousteau
(I don't know which religions, but iirc some religions were quite picky with this sort of thing)
Mockturtlesoop
KEEP YOUR BONES FOR THE SKELETON WAR
hellafordays
http://moviesandbacon.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/army-of-darkness.png
MisterJellyBean
I have a genetic disease, so no. Also, friend of mine's 5 year old was hit by a car, ambulance arrives and they can hook him up to machines
NotSinceBreakfast
Depends on the disease. I have CF and I know that people with it can and have donated (some) organs. But there are some that cannot :(
MisterJellyBean
My genetic disorder that causes cysts to grow, internally, on my organs, and it occurs with any organ that is transplanted into me as well.
NotSinceBreakfast
That's a bummer. I'm sorry that you've got to deal with it. I hope that you've found some good in your condition. I know I appreciate more.
MisterJellyBean
I'm still in the terrified stage, I'll get over it eventually, I'm glad you're well.
MisterJellyBean
long enough to harvest his organs, as he was dead on the scene (severe head trauma). she says yes. They charged her 400,000$ for
MisterJellyBean
reviving, transporting, and doing surgery on her technically dead son so they could harvest his organs. Doesn't seem fair.
GregKennedy
That's horrible. The process for organ donation should be free for the donor...!
MisterJellyBean
I so agree, especially when an organ is a new life for another person, it shouldn't be a choice btw financial detriment, but it is, sadly
Thedrunkpoet
In France, you're automatically an organ donor, if you don't explicitely say no, i think France did something right finally
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
When did that happen? I only know of Austria using an opt-out system
Thedrunkpoet
Caillavet's law 1976, "everybody is pre-assumed as an organ donor, except if they explicitly say no while alive"
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
TIL there are quite a few countries with an opt-out system.. which only infuriates me more that we (The Netherlands) still don't have that
icanspeakdinosaur
I wish people knew that some CAN'T be a donor... I feel guilty every time a post like this comes up. I'm sorry for being diabetic =(
GregKennedy
TIL you can't be a donor for medical reasons. Next time I'll post "Everyone should be a donor if they can"!
MatrimBloodyCauthon
Aw, it's okay lil dino.
balthcat
Uh, surely there are parts of you that aren't affected. Corneas?
VodkaReindeer
Here they can take your organs if nobody objects, even if you didn't specifically give them permission.
iLoveItWhenMyFingersSmellLikePussy
Where is "here", dear? By your name, I'd say somewhere in Northern Europe
VodkaReindeer
The only time somebody can object is when they have knowledge of you objecting to donating your organs.
astropapi1
Where do you live, Valhalla? Seriously, donating organs should be obligatory.
ImJustHereSoIDontGetFined
I disagree. I think everyone should be encouraged to donate but it should still be a choice.
sixfoothobbit
Well if you disagree you shouldn't be legible to take parts from other donors. That would only be fair
eagleyankee
In many countries you have to opt out of donorship as opposed to the opt-in system of the United States.
MLGsandwichmaker
Um what? When I got my license they told me that I had to be a donor because I was under 18. I could file to have it removed after my bday.
eagleyankee
Are you from the United States or elsewhere?
astropapi1
Exactly as it should be, in my opinion. I don't give a shit about your culture, your dead body won't need those organs someone might need.
LicensedAdHominem
It's not that. They do give a shit about culture, but only if you specifically state it.
VodkaReindeer
Pretty close, Finland. The law came into effect in 2010.
parabola
2. most of her 20's).
parabola
1. That's brilliant. I wish they would do that in the UK, opt-out is much better than opt in (as someone who has been waiting for a kidney
astropapi1
Ah, Europe... If you guys didn't have all those fancy languages, I would move there without a second thought.
Scuzzball
I'm still hoping to move there, pretty sure enough people speak english for me to get by. I'm CS anyway, so should be fine.
workundone
This is what has been holding me back for the most part. I seem to have a massive difficulty with learning/retaining new languages
parabola
The great thing about Europe is you can get by just fine knowing English :)
LicensedAdHominem
I live in Finland and I know only "kiitos" and "perkele", English does the job (and takes away the motivation to learn Finnish).
mychemicalunderpants
I'm type1 diabetic so can't donate blood or organs. But I'm registered to donate my body to science after I die. Every little helps!
NotSinceBreakfast
I, too, am diabetic, as was my donor. I assure you, you can donate organs if they're not too damaged. ;)
mychemicalunderpants
I didn't know that!! (maybe it's different rules in England..) I will look into this!
toffeecoffee
What odds. Live well, OP!
raveracer77
Wisconsin? Loki and Bartleby were sent to Wisconsin
bipolarmolar
who are Loki and Bartleby and why are they in my great state?
raveracer77
http://33.media.tumblr.com/d34ac358f7f930e465b95b6e94ebf6bd/tumblr_mvtyhivU6V1r2igv7o9_r1_250.gif
raveracer77
Dogma: Bethany: Were they sent to Hell? Metatron: Worse. Wisconsin. For the entire span of human history.
bipolarmolar
or just downvote me, that's fine too
raveracer77
I got you +1. Ignorance of Dogma in this case is not a crime
BartlebyTheScrivener
Angels from the movie Dogma--Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Sent there as punishment for being less than angelic. Sorry!
[deleted]
[deleted]
thuperduperthpeshul
Doctors would notice as they were removing them from the donor. Also it's noted in health records. They wouldn't be considered a candidate.
littlemoroi
Ok, good. I was worried that they wouldn't check
purplepotatoes
WHO DOWNVOTES THIS?!?
emmaontoast
Jerks?
BigAndChunkyDane
I considered because I'm pretty sure this is a repost.
NotSinceBreakfast
It's a follow-up with the same first photo. Good eye!
Draevan13
I would assume skeptical people who believe this is all made up to get upvotes and likes.
nintendude84
People not worth talking to, honestly.
sangheraj
Dicks...
deathguardlundmark
Probably saw the selfies as the first three pictures, downvoted and moved on.
holyglamgrenade
nazis.
ACanadianLostInAustralia
An asshole. An asshole downvoted this.
ben9105
Not me
ImJustHereSoIDontGetFined
People who don't find it interesting or enjoyable?
McCormack
Me- Urgh I mean uh... Nazis'... Haha.... Yeah.
anotherrainydayinmylife
Somebody who thinks it's stupid to live out someone else's dreams. Which it is.
Deltaindiacharliekilobravouniformtangotango
Its on my bucket list to downvote this
COCKCRUSHER
Even Patrick Bateman would upvote this
TheTriangleGuy
Zombies
[deleted]
[deleted]
GulcasaOfTheSnowfall
Not sure if joke went uncaught or terrible joke. Eh.
sweetpeasoup
People with no hearts. They probably need an organ donation the most, actually.
kinkypuffs
Dan
KnasKalas
I do.
weaver1462
It's physically impossible. I think the Grinch started crying over this post.
thadiuz
The same people that make this site crap at times.
MWD78
Jehovah's Witnesses would be my guess.
ORGANICGUY
ORGANICGUY
JW's are not like that. Organs are a different matter. Even a parent would give up their own kidney to save their own child. DUH!
aguyuno
But they wouldn't give him any of their blood to save their kid! That'd just be _crazy_.
ORGANICGUY
http://bloodlessmedicineandsurgery.com/category/why-choose-bloodless-medicine-and-surgery/
ORGANICGUY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV4Nmjg29p0&list=UUeVXFWopd_xIalFlOMOpzDQ
Therearetoomanyusernames
Jehovah's Witnesses are not against organ donation. They reject blood transfusions.
TsunamiJohn
Thank you - I'm against saying false things about any religion. There are plenty of true weird things you can say. I know, I'm a Mormon.
Therearetoomanyusernames
I can imagine the things you hear!
aguyuno
Except for the part where organs have plenty of foreign blood in them.
MWD78
...and i suppose the doctors just wring the organs out to get every drop of foreign blood out of them for good measure, right?
Therearetoomanyusernames
It's not the same thing.
aguyuno
It's EXACTLY the same thing
MWD78
it IS as long as we're going for consistency, but that was never really religion's strong point now was it?