Organ transplantation is the therapy of choice for end-stage organ failure. However, there is a constant shortage of life-saving grafts both globally and locally. Notably, the organ donation rate of Hong Kong is amongst the lowest in the world, wherein 2015 there were only 5.8 donors per million people1. Whereas, the local organ donation rate has been decreasing over the past few years, from around 30-40 donors per year to a record low of 25 donors for 2019. On average, most patients in need have to wait for 5-6 years before transplantation while some of them have been waiting for 10 years. Thus, the Hong Kong Government and many local non-government organisations (NGOs) have put effort on promoting participation of local people in registration for organ donation over the years.
In 2016, with the initiation by the Hong Kong Kidney Foundation (HKKF), the Hong Kong Organ Donation Action Group (“Action Group”) was established with the collaboration of 15 local NGOs and societies. The Action Group aims to coordinate and facilitate the local promotion works for organ donation. In order to honour the organ donors, the Endless Love Memorial Plaque Garden was set up in July, 2017.
On 13th November 2021, which the Organ Donation Day also fell on, the Action Group organised a live event titled “Endless Love On-line Autumn Memorial”. In addition to express the respect and gratitude for the organ donors, an important message delivered at the event was the “3S” in organ donation, i.e. Sign-up, Speak-out and Spread-out. To save lives, it is important for us to sign up at the Centralised Organ Donation Register and to inform our families on our wish for organ donation. Furthermore, we need to encourage our friends and relatives to support and register for organ donation.
Prof. Sophia Chan, Secretary of Food and Health
Dr. CHAU Ka Foon, Co-Chairperson of Hong Kong Organ Donation Action Group
Dr. Deacon Yeung, Director (Cluster Services), Hospital Authority
Organ recipients attended the Autumn Memorial
