Tan Si Ying Janessa, 16

School: Chung Cheng High School

Topic: Are conversations about death necessary to encourage organ donation?

“Conversations about death are necessary to encourage organ donation.” How far would you agree?

Death is inevitable. However, death remains a topic that many are reluctant to openly discuss. Growing up, I used to believe that death was associated with misfortune. Whenever I mentioned it, my parents would quickly end the conversation, then later reprimand me for bringing bad omen into the house. This made me fear death. As I grew up, I gathered knowledge from people of different walks of life, and I’ve learned that death is a reality that everyone must face. This reluctance to discuss death often leads to avoidance and denial, affecting one’s attitude towards organ donation. As a result, organ donation is often met with hesitation. Organ donation is controversial, evoking mixed reactions among individuals. But how do you talk about organ donation to someone who’s new to that concept without mentioning death? Organ donation is an important decision, and to get people to understand the depth of it, death must be mentioned as it is inseparable from organ donation. Not only does it help them make informed decisions, it also acts as a preparation for their families. In light of life’s uncertainty, such conversations provide families with the opportunity to make informed decisions. Organ donation is a commitment that should not only be made by the individual, but their loved ones should also be involved in the decision-making process. Therefore, I agree that conversations about death are necessary to encourage organ donation.

Acknowledgement of death provides clarity, allowing individuals to make informed decisions. Given that organ donation takes place after death, discussions about death become essential to understanding its implications. However, if it is not brought up during discussions, the procedure becomes unclear to individuals and their loved ones. This omission is extremely detrimental as the decision to commit to organ donation should not be made individually, but rather, jointly with loved ones. Organ donation is a sensitive topic, further emphasising the need for it to be transparent to the donor and their loved ones. If not mentioned clearly, it sparks hesitation and confusion, which may lead to fear. This sense of uncertainty and fear results in delays to potential organ donations. More importantly, such conversations relieve families of the burden of making painful decisions in moments of grief. Without prior discussions, loved ones are often left to second-guess the wishes of the deceased, turning an already distressing situation into one filled with uncertainty and regret. Every unsuccessful organ donation means that patients urgently in need of an organ transplant will face delays. Therefore, conversations about death are essential as they help reduce uncertainty, enable informed and timely decisions, and increase willingness for organ donation.

Open conversations regarding death help dispel misconceptions and reduce fear. In today’s society, there are many social taboos surrounding organ donation. Due to the advancement of technology and the common use of social media, such misinformation spreads quickly between individuals, reinforcing societal taboos surrounding organ donation. For instance, there is a common myth that doctors would not try as hard to save the life of a donor. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case, as the transplant team and medical team are separate, with distinct responsibilities. In fact, the sole priority of the doctors in the medical team is to save the donor. Hence, there is no need to mistrust the doctors. Such myths spark fear and uncertainty, leading many individuals to hesitate or refuse organ donation. As such misconceptions spread, the number of successful organ transplants decreases, delaying critically ill patients from receiving urgently needed organs. On the other hand, if such fear and misinformation were removed, it would support personal autonomy. Organ donation becomes less ambiguous to individuals, ensuring that their decisions are voluntary and well-considered, rather than hastily made by others. Clarifying these concepts prepares individuals to make responsible and morally conscious decisions regarding organ donation.

While such conversations are necessary, they must be complemented by broader social and practical efforts. According to Channel News Asia (CNA), more than 500 patients are currently on the waiting list for vital organs, with kidney patients facing the most acute shortage. Only 10 per cent of those on the transplant waiting list received a transplant last year. As of end-2024, the average wait has stretched to nine years. This was due to the small pool of eventual deceased organ donors, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). Statistics such as these highlight the urgent need for greater awareness and participation in organ donation. When discussions about organ donation become more open, individuals would then be able to grasp the full picture of the process, including what it entails, and its implications for both donors and recipients. This results in a significant increase in organ donation rates, addressing the current shortage of organs. Furthermore, only when the individual and their loved ones fully comprehend the implications of organ donation can last-minute disputes between families and medical staff be reduced. Consequently, when families and individuals are well-informed, it paves the way for a culture of transparency and responsibility around death and healthcare decisions.

However, some critics argue that talking about death is not necessary as there are certain organs that can be donated while the donor is still alive. For example, kidney donation is the most common type of living donation as a person only needs one kidney to live a healthy life. While that may be true, a full understanding of organ donation requires awareness of organs that can only be donated after death. Undeniably, living donations are important, but they only represent a small fraction of the organs that can be donated. Many vital organs, such as heart, lungs and liver, can only be donated after death, making such organ donations crucial for addressing the demand for transplant. Only when individuals understand both living and after death donation aspects can they then truly understand the scope of organ donation. Without understanding this distinction, individuals and their families may underestimate the importance of organ donation, potentially contributing to the ongoing shortage of organs. Conversely, once individuals appreciate the implications of organ donation, it gives them the confidence to communicate their wishes clearly. Therefore, talking about death is not useless, but a rather important step in ensuring that organ donation is carried out ethically and effectively, saving more lives.

In conclusion, death is a crucial topic that must be addressed when having in-depth conversations regarding death. It helps individuals and their loved ones make morally conscious and informed decisions. In the future, I hope that more people will understand the importance of organ donation and not shy away from having open conversations about it with their loved ones. It may seem difficult to start, but it is an essential step in clarifying any doubts and preparing loved ones for the future. Apart from open conversations about death, there are also other initiatives to encourage organ donation. For example, holding educational talks in schools to teach teenagers from a young age, ensures that they are not misled by the misconceptions spread online. To add on, using softer language as a way to introduce organ donation to youths helps reduce anxiety and allows them to face the issue with an open mindset. As organ donation becomes a growing concern, it is important that we do our best to address the issue and contribute to helping those in need, fostering a society that confronts mortality with honesty, compassion and responsibility.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2026 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 ↗ (opens in new tab)