Family calls mistaken death of son 'a miracle'(Organ donation movement takes a hit)

AP ^ | 11/21/2007 3:54 AM | AP

[Tulsa Ramjet]

OKLAHOMA CITY -- What may have been a mistake at a Texas hospital is being called a miracle by the parents of a Frederick man who was critically injured in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

For more than six hours on Monday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol classified Zack Dunlap as the state's 610th motor vehicle fatality of the year.

Troopers removed Dunlap's name from the list the same day after learning he showed signs of life shortly before his organs were to be harvested for transplant.

Dunlap was hurt about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday while riding his four-wheeler on a Tillman County road less than a mile west of Davidson with a friend. His vehicle hit the rear of Colton Gains' four-wheeler, causing Dunlap's ATV to spin 180 degrees and throwing him off, according to the patrol's report.

Dunlap, 21, was flown to United Regional Healthcare System in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was placed on life support.

Doctors pronounced him dead at 11:10 a.m. Monday, said trooper Betsy Randolph, a patrol spokeswoman.

However, "He's alive," Randolph said after speaking with hospital officials late Monday.

As a worker was removing tubes from Dunlap's body in preparation for medical personnel to remove his organs, Dunlap reached out and touched a nurse's arm, Randolph said.

[longtermmemmory]

one of the reasons a NON-organ donor card can be useful.

It is really creepy how those organ donor ghouls sometimes seem to be hoping for someone to die.

[G8 Diplomat]

He did say the likelihood that someone who has been confirmed to be brain dead could "wake up" is "almost impossible."

True...you don't see many liberals coming to their senses, do you...

[longtermmemmory]

Given the level of money involved, it is almost becoming needed to have a NON-donor card.

[LonePalm]

Evidently he was only mostly dead.

I'm glad he's OK.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[ebersole]

If I am sick/injured enough that medical personnel would even consider me for a harvest, they can harvest away. I wouldn't want to have someone watering my garden every day. My organs/tissues would benefit more people than the condition in which I would be living.

[trumandogz]

The solution to the organ donation debate is easy.

Have everyone choose on their drivers license to Be a Donor or Be a Non Donor.

Those who elect to be A Donor will be permitted to receive donated organs.

Those who elect to be a Non Donor will not be permitted to receive donated organs.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I just checked out my Ohio license, and find no indication of organ donor status.

[longtermmemmory]

nice try but hardly applicable to kidney or partial liver donations.

Or other types of donations which can be made while a person is alive. This is particularly true of bone marrow donors.

You solution is what germany uses for their socialized medicine BS.

[babble-on]

I totally agree.

[MARTIAL MONK]

Hey! Gimme my gizzard back!

[Polyxene]

“I will not sign a donor card either. I have also begun to rethink the entire organ donation practice. I like it less and less as I get older.”

Double-Dog Dittos and Amen to that!

[trumandogz]

Okay let’s keep the discussion of “brain dead” people organs since the article is about a person that was mistakenly pronounced brain dead.

Now, why should a person that is not willing to donate his organ in the even of death be permitted to receive an organ from a person who while alive decided to give the gift of life?

[twigs]

An excellent question. If I’m consistent, then no. And I like to be consistent. But I’ve never been tested to that level, so it’s hard for me to say positively no. I would like to say that I would never accept someone else’s organ. The harder question for me would be for a family member. If I had an ailing minor, would I accept it? I’d like to say no... but would I? I hope I’m not tested.

[trumandogz]

I have also begun to rethink the entire organ donation practice. I like it less and less as I get older.

What would be you opinion of the organ donation process if you or a family member was in need of an organ transplant?

[Tulsa Ramjet]

“I just checked out my Ohio license, and find no indication of organ donor status.”

Lands, that means by default, you ARE a donor, at least in Ohio. You guys are freaks up there

(ha ha just kidding).

[trumandogz]

Wow, you are quick post 34 answered in post 33.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

Hey,
the infamous “they” said that there is now a theory on the purpose of the appendix.

[twigs]

I’m good, no?

[Tulsa Ramjet]

“why should a person that is not willing to donate his organ in the even of death be permitted to receive an organ from a person who while alive decided to give the gift of life?”

How many children sign “donor” cards? Not much probably, and they are usually the ones that most people would feel deserves instead of a nicotine stained finger, overweight, hard-drinking ex baseball player (ala Mickey Mantle who magically vaulted up the donor list over numerous others—”If I’d known I was gonna live this long, I’d have taken a lot better care of myself.”)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mantle

[Tired of Taxes]

The title gave me the same impression. Upon reading further, I was pleasantly surprised to find out he is alive.