Residents of the Federal District participated this Sunday (22) in actions aimed at raising awareness of the importance of organ donation, at Parque da Cidade Sarah Kubitschek. The Green September – Donate Organs, Donate Life initiative was promoted by the State Transplant Center of the Federal District (CET-DF), which offered services such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels, in addition to a prize draw.
The aim of the event is to expand the list of potential organ donors in the Federal District. A group walk and a conversation were held between transplant patients, donor families and health professionals.
According to the DF Health Department, up until August of this year, 545 transplants were performed, 207 of which were cornea transplants, 177 of which were organs (including kidney, liver and heart transplants) and 161 of which were bone marrow transplants in the Federal District.
Brasília (DF), 09/22/2024 – The Health Department (SES-DF), through the State Transplant Center of the Federal District (CET-DF), promotes the Walk for awareness of organ donation, in the City Park. Photo: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro
Already in Rio de Janeiro, yesterday (21) the campaign was carried out “Na Onda da Doação” also seeks to talk to the population about the importance of organ donation. Promoted by the Rio de Janeiro Nephrology Society, in Praça do Arpoador, in the south of the city, in partnership with the Liver Group and the Rio Cardiology Society.
Doctor Pedro Túlio Rocha, president of the Rio Nephrology Society, believes that this is a gesture of love that can save many lives. “We are trying to educate the population and motivate them to do this, which can directly or indirectly save up to eight people. In Brazil, there are around 60,000 people waiting for a tissue or organ transplant. And for some, it may be the only treatment option to maintain their lives,” he said.
Campaign
Throughout Brazil, in the first six months of this year, more than four thousand organs and around eight thousand corneas were donated for transplants. The increase compared to 2023 was 3.2%.
Despite the growth, talking about organ donation is still taboo for some people. According to data from the Ministry of Health, out of every 14 people who express an interest in donating, only four actually do so, due to their family’s refusal.
In an attempt to demystify the issue, the ministry launched a campaign with the theme: “Organ donation: we need to talk about it”, which highlights the need to address the issue.
According to the ministry, the most donated organs were the kidneys, liver, heart, pancreas and lungs. Among the tissues, the cornea and bone marrow are at the top of the list. In the first six months of this year alone, the Unified Health System (SUS) performed more than 14,000 transplants. Last year, this number was 13,900.
