Song Xin Jie, 14

School: Yishun Town Secondary School

Topic: What does organ donation mean to you?

Award: High Distinction, Junior Category, 2021

Organ donation is the process of removing an organ from one person and surgically placing it in another person. It may seem like a simple gesture of giving your organs away, however to some people it means their whole world. Personally, I feel that organ donation means giving life a new beginning.

Organ donation allows people to breathe a second time, to see the wonders of the world and to feel the ground beneath them once again. Although it is well-known that organ donation indeed saves countless lives, many individuals do not receive organs and are not as lucky. On average, one hundred and fifty people are added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list each day, one every ten minutes. It is no wonder that the supply cannot possibly meet the demand. As heart-breaking as it seems, an average of twenty-two patients pass on every day while waiting, simply because the organ they needed was not donated in time. This highlights that the importance of organ donation should be brought to everyone’s attention.

Many may see organ donation to be a tragedy. Afterall, these organs are most likely being donated to a complete stranger. However, I see organ donation more of a light to someone else’s tunnel, a gift of life. Not everyone is born lucky to have healthy organs or to live up to an average lifespan of eighty-four years. Therefore, if we have the power to change the ending to someone else’s life story, why not use it? One deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives. While two people can be freed from dialysis treatments with the donation of two kidneys, a donated liver can be split so that two people can receive the gift. In addition, two lungs can give the gift of life to two people and the pancreas and heart can also be donated. A dying life in exchange for eight others is nothing short of noble. It takes a selfless and courageous soul to do such a charitable act. With that being said, I believe organ donation to be a superpower, a privilege that everyone has. Not all heroes wear a cape, you could be one too.

Organ donation also brings about many positive impacts to both the donor’s family and the ones on the receiving end. First and foremost, organ transplants can greatly improve a recipient’s health and quality of life, allowing them to return to normal activities. They can spend more time with family and friends, be more physically active, and pursue their interests more fully. On the other hand, organ donation allows the family of the deceased donor to see part of their beloved one for the very last time. Many might find it painful and devastating to acknowledge their loved ones as they passed on, but what makes organ donation meaningful is the sincere purpose behind it. After one dies and if buried, their body eventually will decompose. If one is cremated, he will become ash. However, if one’s body is donated, they are able to ‘live’ to give life and happiness to many. Organ donation is a form of hope and a new beginning. Hence, this makes organ donation more so important.

As a form of contribution to the society, organ donation is one fairly easy way for anyone to lend a helping hand to others. We can all agree that life is priceless, hence having the gift of life is like a treasure meant to be shared. Organ donation is free of charge for the donor and his family. It costs nothing but means everything. Everyone could easily be a superhero by simply registering on an online form with one click of a button. Let us all do our part to make the world a better place.

In a nutshell, organ donation to me means a gift of life meant to be passed on. Everyone has the power to make change and to be that rainbow in someone else’s cloud. Donating your organ is a noble, selfless and brave act. Let us breathe life into others and be that someone else’s hero. Make this your last gift before you leave.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2021 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg