Chloe Choy Yu Xuan, 13

School: Evergreen Secondary School

Topic: Do donor families find hope in organ donation?

Award: Merit, Junior Category, 2022

Why do donor families find hope in organ donation? Is it because the donor’s organ can save another? Or maybe it’s a way to help them grieve? It’s all of the above.

Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an organ from the donor and placing it into the recipient. It is needed when a person’s organ has been injured, failed or damaged by diseases. It is a heroic act of kindness which can save and transform lives.

Our teacher told us about organ donation and I became interested in the topic, thinking that it probably takes a lot of courage for the donor families to agree to let their loved ones donate their organs. So I’ve started reading articles about donor families and I found out that it’s a way to help them grieve over the loss of their loved ones.

I believe it is because they see it as a positive thing to come out from a negative situation. They feel that it’s fulfilling and are comforted by the thought that, despite not being alive, their loved ones can help donor recipients and their families by giving them a better life. It is also because, in a way, their loved ones live on in others, letting them have a second chance at life.

I also believe that they want to bring hope to recipients and their families.

When donors donate their organs, it may be viewed as a gift for the recipient and their family and bring healing to them. Some organ recipients encourage others to donate organs and even want to do it themselves. Donors, recipients and their families spread awareness on organ donation, coming together to be an advocate on organ donation.

One story I have recently read is about a man whose parents agreed to donate his organs after he passed away in a car accident. The man’s organs were able to save six people. His father said that it would have been a pity if the organs were wasted in the dead man’s body and not donated. The man’s parents are comforted knowing that the donations have helped others and changed their lives.

Another touching story I have read is about a recipient of the organ. This lady had been suffering from heart failure for several years. She was constantly tired and suffered two heart attacks and a coma. When she received her new heart, she was allowed to live normally. She was grateful that the donor’s family had made the difficult decision to donate the heart. She and the donor’s mother had created a special bond with each other.

These heart-warming stories are what inspire others to donate and raise awareness. Recipients walk the Earth everyday because of the heroes who have the courage and heart to do what some people don’t; donate their organs. It is touching to know that one organ donor can change many lives, giving hope to the recipients, their families and the donor families. Hope for the recipient’s family, knowing that the recipient will live; hope for the recipient knowing that they will get to spend more time with their loved ones; and hope for donor families knowing that their donation has saved another.

Thank you, donor families, for letting them live on.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2022 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