World Organ Donation Day: Date, Theme, Significance

World Organ Donation Day is celebrated every year on August 13. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and how it can affect the lives of other patients. Moreover, it also helps people become more considerate about becoming organ donors. There are over 160,000 patients that require transplants every year. We can help them, by spreading awareness and bursting myths. Donating an organ is extremely valuable because it is both a gift and a life-saving act. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. So, this year, let’s encourage ordinary people to take extraordinary action. 

Name of the day	World Organ Donation Day
Observed on	August 13
Reason	To raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.

World Organ Donation Day 2024 Theme

The official theme for World Organ Donation Day in 2024 is not out yet. We will update it once the official sources release the theme. The theme for 2023 was “Step up to Volunteer; need more organ donors to fill the lacunae”.

What is the Significance of Organ Donation Day?

Here are a few important points highlighting the significance of Organ Donation Day:

• It teaches people about the importance of organ donation and how it can save lives.
• The day motivates people on the global stage to become organ donors.
• It gives a new life to people suffering from organ failure.
• The day honours the spirit and selflessness of organ donors.
• World Organ Donation Day also provides a platform for people to have open healthy discussions about related topics.

“Heaven will accept you even without your organs! Donate them!”

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Interesting Facts about Organ Donation

Let’s look at some facts about organ donation on this Organ Donation Day:

• Organ donation is possible for anyone of any age, caste, religion, or group.
• Donating organs can be done at any age. Organ donation is based on strict medical standards rather than age.
• Tissues like the cornea, heart valves, skin, and bone can be donated after natural death, but essential organs like the heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can only be donated after “brain dead.”
• Organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and lungs can be transplanted to patients whose organs are failing, allowing many of them to return to a normal life.
• To be a donor, anyone under the age of 18 must obtain the permission of a parent or guardian.

Also Read: Autistic Pride Day

Who Can Be an Organ Donor?

Organ Donation Day is about spreading awareness. Organ and tissue donation is possible for anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. If the individual is under the age of 18, parental or legal guardian approval is required.

List of Organs that Can be Donated

Here is a list of organs that can be donated to save lives. A single individual can save up to 8 lives by pledging to this service:

1. Pancreas
2. Cornea
3. Small Intestine
4. Skin tissues
5. Kidney
6. Lungs
7. Heart
8. Eye
9. Liver
10. Bone tissues
11. Heart valves
12. Veins

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India has only 3% of Organ Donors

Here are a few important details about organ donors in India:

• According to AIIMS data released in 2019-202, 1.5 – 2 lakh people require kidney transplants each year
• However, only about 8,000 (4%) patients obtain them.
• Similarly, about 80,000 people require liver transplants each year, but only 1,800 of them are carried out.
• Every year, about 1 lakh individuals require corneal or eye transplants, but only about half of them are successful.
• Even among cardiac patients, only approximately 200 of the 10,000 who need a heart transplant match with a potential donor.

How to Donate an Organ?

According to the information posted on the AIIMS official website, there are two ways to donate organs: 

1. Committing to organ donation while a person is still living
2. Committing to organ donation with the family’s consent after death

A person can pledge for organ donation at any time during their life by filling out a donor form, which can be received from ORBO either in person or by mail:

Step 1: Get the donor form from the official website.

Step 2: Fill out the “Organ/Body Donation” form after downloading it.

Step 3: On the donor form, you’ll need two witnesses’ signatures, one of whom must be a close family.

Step 4: If your request is approved, you will receive a “Donor Card” with a registration number.

Step 5: If you decide to become a donor, you must inform your loved ones.

Another way is to make a valuable donation

The hospital also accepts unregistered donations. If a person dies without registering, his or her organs can be donated by the person’s relatives. The sole requirement for this contribution is that they sign a consent form, which is provided at the time. The body of the deceased is respectfully returned to the family.

Also Read: World Kidney Day 2024- History, Theme, Significance

Institutes to Register for Organ Donation

On Organ Donation Day, if you want to become a donor, you can do so by registering on the following websites:

1. National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a national organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Directorate General of Health Services.

2. Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTO)

Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations are listed below and located in different areas like Govt. Multispecialty Hospital, Omandurar, Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Institute of PG Medical Education and Research, Kolkata (West Bengal), Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai (Maharashtra), PGIMER Chandigarh(UT of Chandigarh) and Guwahati Medical College (Assam)

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