Today, the 11th of October, is ‘The European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation’ (EODD), an annual event established in 1996 by the Council of Europe in order to promote the culture of organ donation and transplantation.

Rome Italy is hosting today’s event for the first time and as usual, is is taking place in the capital of the organising country.

Numerous events have been planned for children and adults; the city will offer a day full of moments of entertainment and information on the subject of donation.

The Order of Malta Volunteers in Gozo held a weekly campaign during the summer to coincide with the Parish feasts, with the aim of encouraging more people to enrol as organ donors.

This campaign was with the cooperation of the Malta Transplants Support Group.

The need for organ transplants is increasing worldwide. The on-going lack of available organs has resulted in an increase in the number of patients on the waiting list. In 2012, in the European Union (EU) alone, 61,000 people were waiting for organ donations. Each day, on average, 12 people died while waiting for a transplant.

When alive, a person can, under very specific conditions, donate body parts for transplantation; a kidney or more rarely a part of the liver or lungs for example, or bone marrow cells or cells from particular organs, skin, cartilage, etc.

The most frequently transplanted organs are kidneys, pancreas, liver, lungs, heart and bone marrow. The most frequently transplanted tissues are skin, heart valves or arteries, bones and cornea.

Most organs, though, are donated after the donor has died. Following death, the possibilities for donation are much wider: the gift of a heart, a liver, both lungs, the cornea, a pancreas, bones…

There is no age limit but the quality of the organs is very important. In the case of a minor, special criteria are aimed at protecting his/her rights are applied.

The idea behind this Day, initiated by the Council of Europe, is to help a different member state each year to encourage debate and provide information on organ donation and transplantation, legal and medical measures so that each person can decide on donation and make their wishes known to their family.

It is about helping member states to promote organ donation and transplantation, and mobilise hospitals and professionals on the identification of potential donors.

It is also an opportunity to honour all organ donors and their families and to thank transplantation professionals throughout Europe whose hard work helps saving lives and improving the quality of life of many people.

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