My husband’s artist studio used to be located next door to a tattoo studio. While customers were waiting for their turn to be “inked” they would often come to the studio to have a look around. Many times they would tell us all about their planned body art.

During one such visit, I met an older lady who was accompanied by her husband. She indicated they were there for matching tattoos. I expected it would be some kind of design to commemorate their years of marriage or something similar. I was surprised to learn that the two were having Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders tattooed on their chests. The woman told a story of her friend who wanted no life saving measures only to be unable to communicate this when the time came. Her friend was alive but severely compromised and mad about the whole ordeal. The tattoos were the couples idea of making sure everyone knew their wishes.

With organ donation, ARORA has a policy that they will not harvest organs of an organ donor unless the family consents.  A driver’s license with organ donor or an organ donor card is not enough.  I suppose the tattoo is one way to make sure everyone knows your wishes…including your family.

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