Gift a life!

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give!" 

Such meaningful and beautiful words but we hardly follow them in our daily lives. And I can safely vouch on behalf of most of us, that the times when we have experienced utmost joy, thrill or satisfaction is always when we have given our time, energy or creativity to an activity or task without expecting anything in return.

Truly, 'social service' an oft repeated but seldom practiced word is something which should be made part of our life, whether in school, college, office or community level. If all of us decide to get involved in even 1 social issue which we are passionate about, it can create such an amazing positivity and sense of gratitude amongst all of us. Life would be definitely be a better place!

So in my own small way, I have decided to reach out to all my family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and society at large and create awareness about organ donation. Organ donation, a subject which I am passionate about as it has the power to make a big difference to people's lives even when one ceases to exist.

I have, with the help of Aparna my sister and Vinay my colleague been able to create a website www.shashwat.info which attempts to provide all the information you may need to understand this topic. It will keep getting updated as days go by and hope to provide as much information you may need on this subject.
At no point does this website claim to be the authority on this subject. In fact its collated all the information from member NGOs. It's just a small attempt on our side to make this subject be heard. So even 1 friend or 1 relative decides to donate her/his organs, it would serve the purpose.

To begin with, I have pledged my organs and I always carry a organ donation slip in my wallet. In case, God forbid, if any situation arises my organs can be donated to those in need. I have also informed my parents, husband and in laws about my wish. What good are those organs anyway when you die. It will either turn to ashes or get decomposed depending on which religion you follow. But if donated have the ability to make a difference in many people's lives.

Its indeed a very sensitive subject and also it needs to be demystified as there are various myths and questions around it. Not everyone is comfortable talking about it. Its like how 'Insurance' as a subject was considered taboo many many years back. No one wants to be reminded about their (imminent) death and at the same time be told about giving away their organs.

Its indeed fascinating to know how 1 person who pledges to donate his organs can in his death, benefit at least 7-8 people who are in dire need and are either fighting for life or better living. The impact is far reaching and we have seen examples in recent past about such noble deeds.

There are two main methods for determining voluntary consent: "opt in" (only those who have given explicit consent are donors) and "opt out" (anyone who has not refused is a donor). Opt-out legislative systems dramatically increase effective rates of consent for donation. For example, Germany, which uses an opt-in system, has an organ donation consent rate of 12% among its population, while Austria, a country with a very similar culture and economic development, but which uses an opt-out system, has a consent rate of 99.98%.




In India, we follow “informed consent.” This means consent from the next of kin is essential before any organ harvesting is possible in the event of brain death or after natural death. By carrying a donor card the family discusses organ donation openly and the decision to donate becomes less difficult to make.

So if you have already decided or if you decide in future to get either your eyes, or any other organs donated, please do discuss this with your close relatives or friends and let them know your sincere wish. As they are eventually the ones who will be responsible for the organ donation to effectively take place.

Various insightful articles have appeared in the recent past. A few are listed below:

For those in South
Hindu in June 2012.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article3509743.ece

For those in Maharashtra

The Times of India, August 31, 2012

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-31/pune/33520736_1_organ-donation-cadaver-organ-zonal-transplant-coordination-centre

For those in Delhi

The Indian Express, March 10 2012
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/to-boost-organ-donation-govt-launches-online-registration/921979/



You may also get your questions answered (hopefully all) here on this website www.shashwat.info. If you still have any clarifications please do not hesitate to reach out to all the various official organizations or member hospitals which have been listed on the website in your respective city.

Thank you so much for your time!