People from South Asian communities living in the UK have a much greater chance of needing a kidney transplant than the general population. This is because they are more likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure, both of which are major causes of kidney failure.

What is Organ Donation?
Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone else who needs a transplant. Hundreds of people’s lives are saved each year by the generosity of
organ donors.  One donor can give life to several people and restore the sight of two more.
Organs that can be donated after death include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel.  Tissue such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others. 

Low Donation Rates
Unfortunately, while the need for donor organs is three to four times higher than among the general population, donation rates are relatively low among South Asian people. This reduces the chances of finding a successful match.

This means Asian people have to wait on average about twice as long as a white person for a kidney transplant. Right now over 1170 Asian people in the UK, some of them small children, are waiting for a transplant. Some of them will die waiting.

Organs are matched by blood group and tissue type (for kidney transplantation) and patients from the same ethnic group are more likely to be a close match. If more south Asian people are to receive successful transplants more south Asian people need to become organ donors.

All the major religions of the UK support the principles of organ donation and transplantation.  

Some people think their religion forbids organ donation but all the UK’s major religions and faiths support the principles of organ donation and transplantation. Within each religion there are different schools of thought, which means that views may differ, but all the major religions accept that
organ donation is down to individual choice.

Hinduism and Organ Donation
There are many references that support the concept of organ donation in Hindu scriptures. Daan is the original word in Sanskrit for donation meaning selfless giving. In the list of the ten Niyamas (virtuous acts) Daan comes third.

Life after death is a strong belief of Hindus and is an ongoing process of rebirth. The law of karma decides which way the soul will go in the next life.

Organ donation is an integral part of the Hindu way of life, as guided by the Vedas. That which sustains is accepted and promoted as Dharma (righteous living). Scientific treatises form an important part of the Vedas – Sage Charaka deals with internal medicine while Sage Sushruta includes features of organ and limb transplants.

“...it is said that the soul is invisible...knowing this you should not grieve for the body.”
Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2:25

Sikhism and Organ Donation
Sikh philosophy and teachings place great emphasis on the importance of giving and putting others before oneself.

It also stresses the importance of performing noble deeds and there are many examples of selfless giving and sacrifice in Sikh teachings by the ten Gurus and other Sikhs.

Sikhs believe life after death is a continuous cycle of rebirth but the physical body is not needed in this cycle – a person’s soul is their real essence.

“The dead sustain their bond with the living through virtuous deed.”
Guru Nanak, Guru Granth Sahib

How Can I Become A Life-Saver?
You can give the gift of life and help your community by joining the NHS Organ Donor Register. This is the national database of people who are willing to become donors after they die.

If you join the register it means that in the event of your death, your organs, such as kidneys, heart or liver could be used to help someone else live.

As the number of Asian people with organ failure continues to rise steadily, now more than ever before there is a need for more people to say yes to organ donation.

Even if you already carry a donor card you should join the NHS Organ Donor Register to ensure your wishes are recorded. Discuss your decision with those closest to you so that they are aware, should the time ever come.

As a community at high risk, we need to act now.  

Give the gift of Life.  Join the NHS Organ Donor Register!

 For more information and to reister click here: www.uktransplant.org.uk