The Big DonorShow - controversial, but hopefully effective

[beelikej]

Some information and opinions (OMFG) on The Big DonorShow that's on Dutch TV as I type this:
A reality TV show in which an organ donor must choose one of three candidates to receive her kidney. Some people think this show is a Bad Idea. Why? The percentage of people who did NOT register as post mortem donors in the Netherlands has DOUBLED in the past years. And patients on the waiting-list are dying. That's why BNN wants to get people talking about the subject. So far the show has been very tastefully done, with intelligent people who are very aware of what they are doing. I truely believe that the network has the best intentions. I'm a member because BNN has been very honest about everything that the network broadcasts. All in the spirit of founder Bart de Graaff, who died five years ago at the age of 35, due to kidneyfailure.

I hope this show will make people aware of the problem. At least everyone is discussing the subject again after our politicians have ignored it the past years.
Right now in the Netherlands you have to actively register to be a donor post mortem. And a lot of people are simply too lazy to do so, even after the form was sent to everyone and all you had to do was cross the appropriate boxes. I can understand when people don't want to donate their organs, even though most reasons and excuses are based on ignorance or religion (...not going there). But to forget to fill in the form or to not register out of laziness is unforgivable.
I wish we could switch to the Belgian system, where (if I'm correct) everyone's a donor unless they register their objection.

The main focus of the show is on the problems patients are facing and the difference a new organ could make to their lives.

Don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.

ETA: update: and the winner is... (Video)

Comments

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

Whoa. That sounded really creepy when I first read it, but you're right, they seem to have handled it really well. Let's hope this stirs people enough to consider being a donor. And yup, you're right, in Belgium you're automatically a donor unless you specifically desist. Although i just heard that they're thinking of changing it to the system you guys have. Which is just dumb. Sigh.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Only in the Netherlands, right? *proud* Sadly our politicians are still persuaded by -mostly religious- whiners, who claim you can't force people to donate their organs AFTER DEATH. Dudes, who's forcing you? You are free to say no, it just takes a little effort to actually think about the issue.
But at least one of those politicians, the one formerly on my desperatelywanttoshaglist, has promised to finally fill out the form. (I was so very dissapointed he hadn't done that years ago. I do not wish to make out with him anymore. I thought he had a brain. Dammit.)

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

Aww. But now that he reconsidered, don't you want to shag him again :p?
And exactly. You're not being forced, if you really don't want to, you just have to put an autograph somewhere. It's not even a frakking effort.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Not sure, I might put him back on the list after he keeps his promise. He's not getting away with it.