Every year on August 13, the world observes World Organ Donation Day. It brings attention to the urgent need for organ donors and the life-saving potential of organ donation. This day highlights the value of registering as an organ donor. Also, helps spreading awareness among the public about the potential for organ and tissue donations to save lives. 

Why Donate Your Organs?  

Eight people can have their lives saved through organ donation. Many patients require organ transplants when they are suffering from a critical life-threatening disease. Transplanting organs such as liver, kidneys or heart can change the life of the recipient in a way which is beyond imagination. 

Organ donation is not just a life-saving procedure but also benefit the recipients, making their quality of life better. For instance, a kidney transplant patient may not require further dialysis thus making the patient have an active and fulfilling life. 

Organ donation makes the families coping with the severe health complications of their loved one, get reassurance and hope.  

There are many more people who require organs than people willing to become donors to them. Your donations help to narrow this gap and ensure that those requiring the life-saving transplants get them through signing as an organ donor. 

 It is righteous in the highest order to donate an organ. You can make a difference in people’s lives long after you’re gone by finding ways to help them.

Timing for Organ Donation 

Organs are sensitive in the aspect that they need to be matched as soon as possible so that they can be used for transplant. The length of time various organs can be stored before they require a transplant is:

The Heart: 4-6 Hours 

The heart is very fragile when it comes to the time between harvesting and transplanting. it should be transplanted within 4 to 6 hours of donation. This short window is a result of the need to constantly supply the heart with blood circulation.  

The Lungs: 4-6 Hours 

Like the heart, the lungs also require to be transplanted within 4–6–hour period. Due to the urgent nature of lung transplants, there must be very good co-ordination between donor and recipients’ team in this type of surgery. 

The Liver: 8-12 Hours 

Liver can be preserved for a relatively longer period than the heart; an average of 8 to 12 hours of preservation after donation. It creates a wider opportunity in the process of matching the recipients with the donors. 

The Kidneys: 24-36 Hours 

Kidneys can be stored for 24 to 36 hours; this is a longest period for an organ. This extended timeframe is beneficial because it allows for more flexibility in matching donors with recipients. 

 
As it’s World Donation Organ Day, giving a needy patient organs is a noble act. It is both lifesaving and can influence many others positively.