October 28 is not only a day of national remembrance in Greece; it’s also the World Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation — a day dedicated to the second chance life can offer. A reminder that generosity does not end with us but continues through those who choose to give hope.
Organ donation is one of the most powerful expressions of solidarity and humanity. Each donation can save or transform up to seven lives — people who are waiting for a heart, liver, kidney, lungs, or other vital organs to survive. Yet, the numbers show that this gift of life is still far too rare. According to the Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM), only about 8 organ donors per million population were recorded in Greece in 2023, compared to an EU average of 18 (EOM, 2023).
The gap between the need and availability of organs remains a pressing issue. Thousands of patients across Europe spend years on waiting lists, while many never get the chance for a transplant. Raising awareness, dispelling myths, and encouraging conversation within families are crucial steps toward change.
Becoming an organ donor means choosing to leave a legacy of life. It’s a selfless act that connects us beyond time, offering a heartbeat, a breath, or a new beginning to someone else.
Because when one life ends, another can begin — and that may be the most profound act of love there is.
Sources:
Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM) here
European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) – Organ donation and transplantation statistics here
Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3
