Despite the growing awareness of the benefits of organ donation in recent years, there are still too few donors in Taiwan to meet the large demand, according to the Taiwan Organ Registry and Sharing Center, the event’s organizer.
As of yesterday, 182 donors had given organs this year, benefiting 591 recipients, but there are 7,836 people on the waiting list for various organs, according to the center’s statistics.
The center’s deputy CEO Liu Chia-chi (劉嘉琪) cautioned that because there are certain requirements that potential donors must meet, not everybody who signs an organ donation card could have their wish fulfilled.
The terminally ill, for example, might not be able to donate their organs because the organs could be contaminated from medical treatment or are no longer functional, she said.
“Most donors are those pronounced brain dead after being involved in car accidents,” she said, but these people are usually among those least likely to have given much thought to organ donation.
“We are urging families to consider accidental deaths and the possibility of donating organs while they are healthy, because no one knows when an accident could happen,” Liu added.
A 21-year-old heart recipient attending the event paid tribute to people who agree to donate organs and their families.
“I feel so blessed to be here today,” said Ho Sun, who received a heart transplant three years ago that saved his life.
“I cherish every minute of my life and often share my experience with friends to promote the concept of organ donation,” Ho said.
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