How to Encourage People to Donate Organs

All over the world, there is a shortage of organs for surgical transplants. The demand for kidneys, lungs, hearts and tissue greatly surpasses the number of organs available and the number of donors. Some proposed methods of increasing donations are controversial, such as monetary compensation or making everyone an assumed donor unless he opts out. But there are still ways to spread knowledge about the critical need for organs and encourage others to become donors.

Instructions

• 1

  Use your video camera to create a public service announcement informing viewers of organ shortages and explaining the pros of donation. Post it on YouTube. Share the link on social-networking websites.

• 2

  Educate individuals you encounter about organ donor statistics. For example, according to "Donate Life," although Spain has increased the amount of organ donations, a shortage is still present and 11 percent of individuals die while on the organ transplant list.

• 3

  Share success stories about organ transplants. Personal and heart-warming stories about children, teenagers, adults and elderly patients who have received organ transplants thanks to the kindness of a relative, friend or stranger may open the mind of an individual who would otherwise be opposed to organ donation. You can find such stories on websites like "Donate Life." (See Resources.)

• 4

  Explain that you do not have to be dead or dying to donate an organ. Living patients are able to donate one kidney (humans are born with two) or part of their liver.

• 5

  Take religion into consideration when speaking about organ donation. Different religions do not all share the same views and beliefs about organ donation. Never get upset or angry due to someone's lack of knowledge on the subject. This will only further push him away.