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World Organ Donation Day 2022 - History, Date, Significance

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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
Written by Dr Sania Datta, last updated on 29 November 2022| min read
World Organ Donation Day 2022 - History, Date, Significance

Quick Summary

  • World Organ Donation Day is celebrated on 13 August every year to make people aware of the significance of organ donation and motivate them to do the same.
  • It encourages people to donate their organs after death and save the lives of several other people.
  • One primary reason for a low organ donation rate is the lack of awareness among people, leading to several misconceptions.

Nearly 17 people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. With so many people requiring organs, the availability of organ donors remains a challenge. One primary reason for a low organ donation rate is the lack of awareness among people, leading to several misconceptions. World organ donation day, is celebrated on 13 August every year. It is an occasion to make people aware of the significance of organ donation and motivate them to do the same. It encourages people to donate their organs after death and save the lives of several other people. 

The following blog discusses the history and significance of World Organ Donation day, along with the myths associated with organ donation. Continue reading to find out.

Organ Donation - An Overview

Organ donation is the process of retrieving an organ like a kidney, liver, heart, lungs, or pancreas from a deceased or living donor. The retrieved organ is then transplanted into a recipient suffering from organ failure. The technological advancements in this field have drastically improved patient survival rates and graft quality after transplantation. However, the increased organ demand has led to an inadequate supply. To improve this situation, people should become aware of organ donation and be willing to do so after their death because a single organ donor can save up to eight lives!
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List of Organs that Can Be Donated

While a healthy person can donate some organs or part of their organs, like liver, kidney, or lung, most organs are retrieved from a deceased person. As mentioned above, a deceased person’s organs can save up to eight lives. These organs include:

  1. 1 Liver: Since the liver has a regenerative property, a part of it can be donated by a living person as well. A liver retrieved from a deceased donor can be further divided into two for split transplantation. 
  2. 2 Kidneys: A living donor can donate one kidney, whereas a deceased donor can donate both kidneys. It is the most frequently donated organ with the highest demand. 
  3. 1 Heart: After being retrieved from a deceased donor, the heart can only survive for four to six hours. 
  4. 2 Lungs: While a living donor can donate a lobe from the lungs, a deceased donor can donate both lungs. 
  5. 1 Pancreas: Pancreas from the deceased donor can be transplanted into the recipient. Furthermore, even a living donor can donate a part of the pancreas. 
  6. Intestine: A deceased donor can also donate their intestine for transplantation.  

Types of Organ Donors

Organ donors can be of two types:

  1. Living Donor: A living donor is any healthy person willing to donate an organ. Living donors cannot donate all their organs. They usually donate a kidney or a liver (a person can survive on one kidney, and the liver can regenerate itself). Living donors can be near relatives (such as spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.) or distant relatives and friends. 
  2. Deceased Donor: A deceased donor can donate all viable organs and tissues after being declared brain dead. People need to pledge their organs for organ donation after death. 

Now that we know the basics of organ donation let’s understand the history and significance of World Organ Donation Day. 

History of World Organ Donation Day

The world observes and celebrates organ donation day on 13 August. Medical science has evolved quickly, and successful organ transplants are performed every day. However, the first account of organ donation and transplantation goes back to 1954, when Joseph Murray retrieved a kidney from a living donor and performed a kidney transplant between twin brothers Ronald Lee Herrick and Richard Lee Herrick. With further advances in medical science, several other complex and famous historical transplants have taken place:

  1. A baby with anencephaly who lived for 100 minutes was the youngest organ donor who donated kidneys to an adult with renal failure in 2015. 
  2. A 95-year-old man from West Virginia is known to be the oldest organ donor of an internal organ who donated his liver after he died in 2021. 

Since the introduction of organ transplants, it has helped save millions of lives worldwide. 

Organ Donation Day in India

  1. National Organ Donation Day in India is celebrated on 27 November every year. 
  2. It was celebrated in 2010 for the first time. 
  3. The day aims to promote awareness and motivate people to pledge their organs for donation.
  4. It is directed by the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), passed in 1994 by the Indian parliament and further amended in 2011 and 2014. 
  5. The law permits donations from both living and deceased donors. 
  6. It was passed to recognise brain death as a means of increasing the organ donor pool in the country.

Significance of World Organ Donation Day

  1. Despite the increasing demand, organ donation has not become a widespread practice around the globe.
  2. As per reports, about 50,000 people die in India annually due to the non-availability of organs.
  3. Donating an organ can give a new life to a person in desperate need.
  4. However, a lack of awareness has resulted in several myths and fears among the public.
  5. Although recent advancements in medical sciences have made people trust the organ donation process more than before, there is still a need to spread awareness. 
  6. This year’s World Organ Donation Day theme is “let’s pledge to donate organs and save lives.” Organ donation can save the lives of millions of people and offer hope of survival to those suffering from organ damage or failure. 

Takeaway

Being an organ donor is your personal choice. However, it is a noble deed that every eligible individual should consider. On Organ Donation Day, create awareness about the importance of donating organs and inspire people to do the same. You can pledge your organs by filling out an online form on the official website of NOTTO (the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation). You will then receive your donor card with a unique government registration number. 

If you have any more queries regarding the process of organ donation and transplantation, you can consult an expert at HexaHealth. Our team of doctors will guide you through the complete process and help you connect with the best doctors. So pledge your organs TODAY, and give someone a second chance at life!

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Myth: Only young people are eligible to donate their organs. 
    Fact: The organ donation and transplantation criteria is based on the person’s medical condition, not age. Therefore, there is no specific age for donating organs. Successful transplants have been performed in the past with donors as young as 100 minutes to as old as 95 years. 
  2. Myth: People with medical conditions can’t donate their organs. 
    Fact: Certain conditions like HIV, heart ailments, cancer, and lung diseases can prevent people from donating their organs. However, with other medical conditions, some organs or tissue may be fit for transplantation. It’s best to consult a doctor to know whether you can or cannot donate your organs. 
  3. Myth: You need to pay to become an organ donor. 
    Fact: False! A donor’s family is never charged for donating a person’s organs. For living organ donation, the cost of the hospital is usually paid by the recipient. 
  4. Myth: Organ donation disfigures the body. 
    Fact: Like any other procedure, donated organs are removed surgically, leaving barely visible surgical incisions. Therefore, organ donation does not disfigure the body. 
  5. Myth: If you agree to donate your organs, the doctors do not try hard to save your life. 
    Fact: Not true! When you visit a hospital for treatment, the doctor’s priority is saving your life. The doctor specialising in the field will treat you and provide the best care possible. 

World Organ Donation Day is celebrated on 13 August every year to raise awareness about the significance of organ donation. Some other objectives of the day are to:

  1. Motivate people to donate organs
  2. Eliminate hesitation and bust myths about organ donation
  3. Express gratitude to organ donors
The theme of World Organ Donation Day  is “let’s pledge to donate organs and save lives”. The day is observed to create awareness about organ donation and thank donors for their life-saving contributions.

Ronald Lee Herrick was the first ever person to donate an organ. He donated a kidney to his twin brother Richard Lee Herrick in 1954. Dr Joseph Murray carried out this successful organ transplantation. 

Organ donation started in India with the enactment of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) in 1994. The law provided a system to remove, store, and transplant human organs. The first liver transplant in India happened in 1998 at Delhi’s Apollo Hospital. 

International organ donation day is celebrated on 13 August every year. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness about organ donation. 

 Organ donation has several benefits, including:

  1. It is an opportunity to help people suffering from organ damage or failure.
  2. One organ donor can save up to eight lives. 
  3. It is a step towards bridging the gap between the demand and supply of organs. 
  4. It can be a positive and rewarding experience. 
  5. It’s free to become an organ donor. 

There are two types of organ donation:

  1. Living organ donation: It involves organ donation by a healthy individual. The living donor can either be a near relative or a distant relative/friend. 
  2. Deceased organ donation: It involves retrieving organs from a person declared brain dead. 

The organs that can be donated after death include:

  1. One liver
  2. Two kidneys
  3. One heart
  4. Two lungs
  5. One pancreas
  6. Intestine

 Organ donation was started by Ronald Lee Herrick, who donated a kidney to his twin brother in 1954. The procedure was carried out by Dr Joseph Murray, who won a Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in 1990. 

NOTTO stands for the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation. It is a national-level organisation that regulates organ donation and transplantation in India. 

Last Updated on: 29 November 2022

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational and learning purposes only. It doesn't cover every medical condition and might not be relevant to your personal situation. This information isn't medical advice, isn't meant for diagnosing any condition, and shouldn't replace talking to a certified medical or healthcare professional.

Reviewer

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

Dr. Aman Priya Khanna

MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES

12 Years Experience

Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More

Author

Dr Sania Datta

Dr Sania Datta

BDS (Panjab University) I MBA Hospital & Health Management (IIHMR Jaipur)

8 Years Experience

She is a high-impact healthcare management and medical content professional with enriching work experience in Parexel, HexaHealth Technologies, Apollo Munich, Credihealth and Fortis Hospital. Armed with deep and c...View More

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