Most of us would agree to the principle of organ donation (90% agree that organ donation is an excellent idea according to some estimates); the concept that our organs or those of our loved ones can give a new lease of life to others when we are gone. And yet very few of us are actually registered organ donors. Why is this? Is it simple inertia – we've just not got around to it yet? Or perhaps we think there is plenty of time – we don’t plan to die just yet? Or perhaps we don’t know how organ donation can transform multiple lives; the list of people waiting for donors being a long, never-ending one?
29-year-old Arun Raj died in a road accident near Ernakulam in Kerala as he traveled on a bike with a friend. He was admitted to ICU and later declared brain dead. His parents decided to let their son live through others since his vital organs were fit for donation. Manoj Kumar in Chennai received the heart, George Varghese received the liver, two men received Arun's kidneys, two more people received an eye each and 49-year-old Linka Selvi received both of Arun's hands.
The family of this 32-year-old also took a courageous and selfless decision when Williams became brain-dead as a result of a road accident. In this case as well, the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys of the brain dead man gave a new lease of life to five people and his retina gave sight to yet another.
He was a nurse at a hospital in Ranipet when he met with an accident and was declared brain dead by doctors. Here as well the family of the young man took a difficult decision when he stopped responding to treatment. His heart, liver, kidneys and lungs transformed the lives of recipients.
She was a 34 year old homemaker from Nerul, Mumbai, who developed thrombosis and collapsed. She slipped into a coma and was found to have irreversible brain damage. When she was declared brain dead, the family took the decision to donate her organs: liver, heart, kidneys and corneas when they found that their loved one would save so many lives.
Ernest had already committed to being an organ donor and asked that all his assets be put to good used when he passed away. When he passed away unexpectedly at 61, his wife Bernice and family knew exactly what to do. With his donation, five lives were saved.
Rosa and Francisco were devastated when the rupture of a brain aneurysm caused the brain death of their daughter Daisy. When they donated her organs, they not only transformed the lives of others, they also found a way to deal with their own pain, finding solace that a part of their daughter continued to live.
Think about it – one person can save up to eight lives of people who need organs such as heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. One donor can also help to enhance the quality of life of up to 50 other people by donating tissues such as bones, tendons, heart valves, skin, veins, arteries, corneas and even limbs. With so many people on the list waiting for organ donations, this is something everyone needs to think about.
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