My intent is to support organ donation ”“ and debunk the bunk. I have no desire to get into an ongoing debate with anyone, but cannot let misinformation rule news print. Case in point is the “Reader’s Forum” addition of Mr. Novotny’s claim he is telling us “facts.” Especially not true is this bit: “An organ from a dead person is useless.” Typical false myth this is ”“ ask yourself why do more donations come as a result of automobile accidents where the information “organ donor” is on our licenses?
If only Mr. N had listened to “Maine Calling” on the same day his blurb was in the Journal he would have learned actual facts. The MPBN Radio’s “Maine Calling” panel discussion featured Dr. Juan Palma, transplant surgeon at Maine Med, and an inspiring kidney donor who saved a life, Stanly Galvin from Pemaquid; both these experienced and knowledgeable gentlemen are my idea of true heroes. And, to boot, they discounted those who would spread misleading information that discourages saving lives by giving of ourselves, be it blood, bone marrow, or an organ.
Do you know we have a federal law that does not allow any profit on organ donation? It is a crime. This program is at your finger tips if you can use a computer: search MPBN.net, find Radio and scroll down to “Maine Calling” and when I did it there was a highlighted feature on “Organ Donation” and you could replay the hourlong panel discussion ”“ and find out the truth.
Before I rest my case, I cannot figure how the correspondent accuses me of “not understanding the implications regarding God’s Law?” “Sadly” he adds. Now I might have slept some times during St. Mary’s School for the duration ”“ and then four years at B.C. High, and then the Jesuit Seminary at Shadowbrook in Lennox ”“ and finally Boston College four years. But, believe me, I reread the Bible and especially the New Testament over and over and with theologians of all ilk propounding on the texts ”“ but with no clear mention of a “God’s Law?” Where did the apostles tell us of Jesus’ stand on organ donation?
Well, Mr. Novotny can cling to his kidney, I know I offered mine to my ailing brother.
Joseph W. Mahoney, Ph. D., Saco
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