World Organ Donation Day 13th August: Donate Organ and Be a Reason for Someone's Life

In this world being a reason for someone's happiness is good but being a reason for someone's life is being like a God to whom you will donate your organs. You can donate your organs after death to save more lives and your organs will live in this world even after your demise. Every year on the 13th of August World Organ Donation Day is observed to create awareness for organ donation after death and to clear the myths and misconceptions in people's minds related to organ donation. 

History of Organ Donation

On the 13th of August in the year 1954, the world's first kidney transplant was done by Dr. Joseph E. Murray. Since then this day has been celebrated to spread awareness about the donation of organs after death and to encourage people to get themselves enrol for organ donation.

In India, the first transplant which is done is of a kidney and is performed at Christian Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu).

Types of Organ Donation

There are two types of organ donation done by people, one is a living donation and another is a cadaver donation.

1. Living Donation

In living donation, donors can donate one organ or some part of it to others and still live a normal life by taking some precautions. An individual can donate one kidney, part of the liver (it regenerates in the body after some time), a part of the pancreas, and part of the intestine.

Living Donors can Donate

1. One kidney
2. A Part of the liver
3. A Part of the pancreas
4. A Part of the intestine

2. Cadaver Donation

Cadaver donation means that the organ will be donated only after the death of the donor. After death multiple organs can be donated to save the lives of others and the organs will still live in the bodies of others. 

Cadaver Donors can Donate

1. Liver
2. Heart 
3. Lungs
4. Kidneys
5. Pancreas
6. Intestine
7. Eyes

Data of Organ Donation and Transplant (India)

Here are the data on organ donation and transplant according to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (Government of India) for the years 2013 to 2022.

Number of deceased organ donors in 2022 of top 5 states in India

Number of living donor transplants in 2022 of Top 5 states in India

Number of deceased donor transplants in 2022 of Top 5 states in India

Importance of World Organ Donation Day

World Organ Donation Day is observed on the 13th Of August all over the world to spread different kinds of messages and information related to organ donation. There are lots of significance of this day and some of them are explained below:

1. To Save Lives

In this world, there are people who are suffering from organ failure and they need organs to save their life. Donating organs and giving new life to needy people is like a proud moment for the donors and their families. 

2. Awareness

It creates awareness among the people to enrol themselves for organ donation after their death which is called cadaver donation. And also you can donate one kidney, blood and some parts to other needy people which comes under living donation.

3. To Reduce Medical Costs

Treatment of organ failure takes a long time to cure and it is not necessary that it will be successful. At the end of treatment, the medical bill increases and nothing goes right, so to reduce the cost of treatment, organ transplant costs less than the time taken for treatment of organ failure.

4. To Maintain the Shortage of Organs

World Organ Donation Day is observed every year to inspire people in the world to donate their organs. This will help maintain the supply and demand for organs in the world.  

5. Appreciation

On this day appreciation is given to the donors and their families for their selfless act of donating organs and saving others' lives.

Registration for Organ Donation in India

Any individual who is over 18 years old in India and wants to donate their organs and be a part of this great work can follow the given steps to get them registered for organ donation.

STEP 1:

Visit the websites of the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).

STEP 2:

Visit the "notto" website or you can call on Toll Free number-1800-11-4770

STEP 3:

After visiting the website you have to click on the pledger’s login.

STEP 4:

Click on the “Not Registered as Pledger? Register here”.

STEP 5:

You will get an option of getting registered either from a mobile number or an Aadhar number choose accordingly.

STEP 6:

Fill out the registration form and submit it 

After submitting the form, the donor will get the donor card after a few days.