August 13 is observed as World Organ Donation Day to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.
This day strives to encourage people to donate their healthy organs after death in order to save more lives. Donating organs like the kidneys, heart, pancreas, eyes, lungs, etc can help save the lives of those who are suffering from chronic illnesses. Numerous people lose their lives due to the unavailability of healthy organs that could save them. This day aims to help people realise that volunteering to donate their organs after death can be life-changing for many.
First organ donation and a Nobel Prize
Modern medicine has evolved significantly and has made it possible for organs to be transplanted from one person to another and enables them to live a healthy life. The first-ever successful living donor organ transplant was done in 1954 in the United States. Doctor Joseph Murray won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1990 for successfully carrying out a kidney transplant between twin brothers Ronald and Richard Herrick.
Who can volunteer to be an organ donor?
Donating one’s organs is giving someone a new life, anyone can volunteer to be an organ donor irrespective of their age, caste, and religion. It is, however, important to ensure that those volunteering to donate their organs do not suffer from chronic diseases like HIV, cancer, or any heart and lung disease. A healthy donor is of paramount importance. One can sign up to be a donor once they reach 18 years of age.
Credit : NDTV
Picture Credit : Google
