Tell Me Why We Need to Talk About Organ Donation

Megan Hunter avatar

by Megan Hunter |

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Recently, I attended an event that reminded me of the importance of speaking up, letting others into your world, and starting a conversation to create awareness.

The event was organized by the South African nonprofit organization Tell, which stands for “Transplant Education for Living Legacies.” It aims to encourage people to talk to friends and family members about organ donation. We have a national organ donor sign-up system, but the registry is not available at hospitals. So, the decision is left up to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Tell wants people to discuss their choices so that grieving family members are not forced to make that call.

Life is the best gift you can give. That’s why Tell helps to educate South Africans about organ and tissue donation. The organization was created with heart, for those in need of hearts and other organs. Two of the three founders speak from firsthand experience, having received lifesaving lung transplants. This second chance at life places them in a unique position to make a difference in the transplant community. They can identify various barriers to organ transplantation. It is our mission to solve as many of these obstacles as possible.

At the event, a local tattoo artist opened his shop and offered free tattoos of quotation marks — the symbol of Tell. Attendees got creative and started to custom their designs, so for example, some of my friends who had lung transplants chose to have the tattoos on their ribs.

And why quotation marks? Because they represent the start of the most important conversation you’ll ever have.

This event reminded me of how crucial it is to talk to others about what matters to you. In my case, I can educate people about rare diseases and specifically myasthenia gravis. I can inform people about the symptoms and what my “normal” life is. In the same vein, I need to listen to others and learn from them. I should find out what they are going through and offer support and kindness.

You don’t need to have a tattoo to spark a conversation, but merely a fire burning inside you to make the world a better place for yourself and others.

Let’s work together to make this happen!

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Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Comments

Suzanne Frye avatar

Suzanne Frye

One of the most NB decisions you will ever make.
I am a PROUD Organ donor

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Fundamental Care avatar

Fundamental Care

love your work great work done by your compaign ....nice blog
Regards:

Organizations to Donate to

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