World Organ Donation Day is observed every year on August 13 across the globe. The purpose of observing this day is to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation and to encourage people to do the same
The Theme for World Organ Donation Day 2022 is “let’s pledge to donate organs and save lives”.
Organ failure remains one of the major causes of death worldwide. Reportedly a person can save up to eight lives from chronic illnesses if they pledge to donate their pancreas, lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, tissues, bone marrow and stem cells. Anyone can volunteer to be an organ donor. But whosoever volunteers to donate their organs should not suffer from chronic diseases like cancer, HIV, or any heart and lung infections. A healthy donor is extremely crucial.
There are two different types of organ donations, which includes:
Living Organ Donation: A living organ donation is an organ transplant procedure in which a living individual donates one kidney, a portion of the liver, and a portion of the pancreas. This provides an option for people who are waiting for an organ from a deceased (dead) donor, while also increasing the number of organs available and saving more lives.
Deceased Organ Donation: If living organ donation is not an option, a portion of the organ or the entire organ can be donated at the time of the donor’s death. In the case of deceased organ donation, the donors are in the hospital, pronounced brain dead or on a ventilator. It is important to keep in mind that deceased organ donation is only possible after all attempts to save the patient have been tried and brain death has been declared, and there are specific processes for this.
All of us have the opportunity to come forward and pledge to donate our precious organs through organ donation. Increasing organ donation awareness can encourage more people toward organ donation.
“You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives as you can do it too by donating your organs too and saves lives.”