Organ Donation. A Divine Intervention #WorldOrganDonationDay

Imagine a situation where you can be practically immortal, even when your physical being passes on!

That’s what my Mother achieved. When she passed away on February 8, 2010, she pledged her body to the St.Johns Medical College. We were a little sad, I must admit. When she was alive, she often mentioned donating her body after she passed on. Why not donate just your organs, we asked. She insisted on donating her body. She wanted to be of service to education.

Sury and I have both pledged to donate our organs after our death.

Today is World Organ Donation Day

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran

(By the way, this is a blog carnival….see end of post for “how to participate”)

What is Organ Donation?

Organ donation is the harvesting of an individual’s organs after he or she dies for the purpose of transplanting them into another person. The person who gives the organs is called a donor while a person who receives the organ is called a recipient. Did you know you can Save 8 Lives by donating your organs?

You can register here as an organ donor and they will send you a donor card

Who can be an organ donor?

Everyone can be an organ donor, regardless of age, caste, religion, community, current or past medical condition. Children can also be organ donors (subject to their parents’ consent).

But those with active cancer, active HIV, active infection (for example, sepsis) or Intravenous (IV) drug use cannot donate their organs. Still, those with Hepatitis C may still donate organs to a patient who also has Hepatitis C. This applies to Hepatitis B in rare cases. Most cancer patients may donate corneas.

Which organs and tissues can be donated?

In the event of brain death, vital Organs like heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated. In the case of natural death, other tissues like corneas, heart valves, skin, bones etc can be donated.

How does Organ Donation help patients with organ failure?

For the person receiving the organ, a transplant means a second chance at life. The heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys and lungs can be transplanted to those whose organs are failing, helping them return to a normal lifestyle. A cornea or tissue transplant means the ability to see again or the recovery of mobility and freedom from pain.

Proof that there is life after death

Organ donation has the ability to comfort grieving families. Losing a loved one is not easy. Families of organ donors often draw solace from the fact that their loss has helped save someone’s life.

Further resources:

Myths about organ donation – and the reality

Frequently Asked Questions about Organ Donation

You can also pledge your organs and print your donor card here

Join the blog carnival!

And now, may I request you to share your views on organ donation? Would you donate your organs?

Do you know of an instance where someone close to you donated theirs?

Please write about it and add the link to your post below.  I look forward to reading your posts ♥

Just one more thing:

Shailaja V is hosting a Flash Fiction Link Up over at her blog, The Moving Quill. So, if you’re in the mood for a creative prompt, head over there and link your post up. The linkup is open till Tuesday night or until it hits 50 entries. Here is the link.